Change Your Furnace Filter for Optimal Performance

Fall is a season of change and a time when many homeowners are changing linens, getting the warm clothes out of storage, and putting quilts on the beds. Fall is also the time of the year to make sure the furnace is ready for optimal performance. Once the cold winter air arrives in Fairfax, VA, you want to be sure that the heating system will keep your home comfortable without running up a high utility bill. In addition to a professional furnace tune-up, changing the system’s filter can enhance its performance by 5 to 15 percent.

The Importance of Furnace and Boiler Maintenance

A properly maintained furnace or boiler will heat your home more efficiently than a poorly maintained unit. Proper maintenance also helps with the detection of worn out parts that could result in a problem later in the heating season. An annual tune-up of the heating system along with regular filter changes can boost system efficiency, durability, and longevity. Maintenance also helps keep the indoor air cleaner, healthier, and fresher.

What Furnace and Boiler Maintenance Should Include

A furnace or boiler maintenance visit includes the following services:

• Inspection of fuel supply and safety devices.
• Cleaning of motors, burners, thermocouple, and ignition.
• Replacement of the air filter.
• Inspection of the ventilation system.
• Checking all belts and moving parts for signs of wear.
• Conduction of a system performance and efficiency test.
• Detection of carbon monoxide gas leaks.

How Air Filters Affect Heater Efficiency

A furnace or boiler with a dirty filter can decrease the system’s efficiency by 15 percent or more. When the air filter’s pores are clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris, the air flow is impeded. Less of the heated air is able to penetrate through the filter and into the home’s air ducts, so less of the heated air reaches each room. The home will feel colder and the heating system will have to cycle more frequently to try to reach the temperature setting on the thermostat. As a result, the utility bill will increase and the system will experience more wear and tear.

Tips for Changing Your Furnace Filter

During the winter months, the furnace filter should be changed every 30 days. This will improve the indoor air quality and maintain optimal energy efficiency of the heater. Be sure to replace the old filter with the proper size of replacement filter. For the best air quality possible, choose the highest MERV rated filter available.

By changing the furnace filter now and scheduling a furnace tune-up, you can rest assured knowing that your home’s heating system is ready for the long winter months. To learn about our current specials on heating services, call us at Commonwealth Cooling & Heating any time.