Change Your Furnace Filter in 4 Easy Steps

Skipping a Basic Piece of DIY Maintenance Could Prove Costly!

Is the air filter on your furnace dirty? If you aren’t sure, it probably is. And you should probably check it as soon as possible!

Turn off your furnace, remove the filter, and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light, it’s dirty and you need to change it. Why is this necessary? A dirty filter can lead to several problems:

• It can restrict airflow, making your system work harder to heat your home—using more fuel and increasing bills as a result.
• Because the filter protects your heating equipment from dirt and dust, it also helps prevent problems that can lead to a breakdown—and an expensive repair.
• A clean filter will also help improve the air quality in your home, reducing dust and allergens.

The bottom line is that changing the filter on your furnace is an easy way to save money while keeping your home more comfortable.

Are you currently enrolled in one of our heating equipment service plans? Our technicians will replace the filter during your seasonal maintenance, but for the best results, the filter on your furnace should be changed more than once a year. Monthly or every other month is best in the winter—or all year, if your home utilizes central A/C, too.

How To Change A Furnace Filter

It’s easy, and not even messy if you do it regularly. Here’s how, in 4 easy steps:

1. Locate the filter rack. Usually, it’s installed at the return or at the entrance to the blower chamber.
2. Slide the filter out. If you need to pull, check for a locking mechanism, and disengage it. Disposable filters have a cardboard frame. If your filter has a metal or plastic frame, it is most likely washable.
3. Replace the filter. Look for the arrow pointing to the direction of air flow. Make sure you install the filter the right way—which is towards the blower.
4. Secure the door or filter rack. Re-engage the locking mechanism if it has one. That’s it. Good job!

Not sure what type of filter or the size you need? Just ask us. Some filters can be washed or vacuumed and reused—check the manufacturer’s instructions. Pleated filters can go longer before changes. Put a reminder in your calendar so you don’t forget.

Ignoring your furnace filters can damage your furnace and shorten its lifespan. Additionally, the harder your furnace works, struggling to push that heat into your home, the more energy it uses. The more energy your furnace uses, the more it costs each month.

Depew Energy’s team of experienced professionals are happy to answer your questions—and if you have been postponing, it’s never too late to schedule your tune-up. Contact us today and start enjoying cleaner air, and improved efficiency. Additionally, if you’re looking for a new fuel supplier this season, we supply heating oil, propane, and diesel fuel to homes across the Hudson Valley. Give us a call to find out our prices, delivery times, programs, and more.