With the prolonged winter season we experience in Connecticut, it’s important that your furnace filter operate efficiently, so that your family and home remain warm throughout the cold months.
There are three factors that determine furnace filter efficiency:
Cleanliness. Keeping a filter clean by changing it regularly (or cleaning it often if it’s reusable) is one of the best ways to maintain its efficiency. As a filter becomes dirty, its efficiency begins to decline, which leads to increased operating costs. Changing your filter on a monthly basis, or as often as the manufacturer recommends, will maximize your heating system’s efficiency during the winter months.
Filter type. Certain materials that are used for manufacturing furnace filters are more efficient than others. Pleated filters, HEPA filters and electrostatic filters collect a lot more dust and other material than do the economy panel filters and, thus, are more efficient. The efficiency level is reflected in the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of the filter. For home use, medium-efficiency filters between MERV 7 and 13 will do a reasonable job of removing most particulates from your air, especially as the air cycles repeatedly through your HVAC system.
Dust level generated. The activity level around your home is the leading factor regarding how much dust is circulated. Activities such as smoking, the presence of pets, and dust from shoes and carpet can reduce indoor air quality. When filters accumulate lots of dust, this affects their efficiency.
Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning has provided HVAC maintenance, service and installation to Connecticut homeowners since 1994. Contact us with questions about your air filter or any other HVAC issues that arise in your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace-filter efficiency and other HVAC topics, visit our website.
Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.