Learn About Furnace Filters

If you have a home HVAC system that uses duct work and forces air through your home to heat and cool it, then you have to use furnace filters. They’re often called furnace filters but they also filter the air that runs through your air-conditioning system if you have central air. The most important thing you can do to keep your system running efficiently is to make sure that you always use a clean filter.

Furnace filters come in different sizes. If you’re unsure of the size that your furnace uses you can simply take out the old one and read the dimensions on the edge. If you can’t read those dimensions for some reason or you can find them, you can simply measure it. Measure the height and the length. Those measurements not might not exactly match the standard measurements of the brands you can find a store, but that’s all right. Simply round up to the nearest size.

A standard size, for instance, is 16 x 25 x 1. Standard filters will always be 1 inch thick, and the other two numbers are interchangeable and may be listed as 25 x 16 x 1, as well. As long as you round up to the next largest standard size, you’ll have a filter that fits your furnace properly. Don’t go smaller because if you have to bend or smash it into place, it’s going to lose some of its filtering properties.

If your filter happens to be thicker than 1 inch, you probably have a whole house air cleaning system in place that uses a filter that’s from 3 inches to 5 inches thick. The dimensions should be written on the edge to make it easier for you to choose the right size. Using the right size furnace filter is very important. If you use one that’s too small, air is going to go around the edges and be completely unfiltered, allowing dirt and debris to get into your HVAC system.

Because filters were originally used simply to protect the system, this can shorten the life of your furnace unit. Using one that’s too large means that it will be crumbled or bent to fit into place and that will allow dirt and debris through, as well. For a standard 1 inch thick filter, you can choose very inexpensive fiberglass or you can choose a very expensive HEPA filter that’s designed to filter out the most pollutants and allergens as well as particles of dirt and dust.