Furnace Energy Tips

Replace your furnace filter every month to three months, depending on the type of filter.

Check your furnace filter and make sure it is the right size. If your furnace whistles, it is probably because you have the wrong size filters on there. If there is a 2” opening then use a 2” filter not two 1” filters.

There are several different types of filters and there is no best filter, but some will work better for you than others. The best furnace filter is the one that has the least effect on air flow but removes the most dust from the air.

• Electrostatic air filters remove a very high percentage of contaminants from the air but at the same time have little effect on air flow.
• Pleated furnace filters are very efficient but lack the holding capacity of the material used in Media Air Filters, which are efficient, low maintenance and cheap. These are used less often however due to availability (HVAC companies are usually the only ones that have them) and awareness.
• There are also fiberglass panel filters, which are pretty efficient due to easier air passage through the glass and the larger surface area of the strands themselves, but they do not last as long as other filters.
• Recommended air conditioning filter: HEPA air conditioner filter which has the potential to provide relief for allergy and asthma sufferers because they trap mold, pet dander, pollen, bacteria and many other airborne particles more efficiently than any other filter. Although it is a benefit that these filters can be cleaned several times and prolongs the life of the filter, it also requires that you be very diligent with the maintenance or they can cause more problems than solutions.