The global furnace filter market grew beyond a value of $10 billion in 2020.

Furnace filters are an important part of your HVAC system, and of all the different components, these need replacing the most often. If you don’t get a furnace filter replacement when you need one it will lower the quality of the air in your home which can cause certain health issues.

There are some things that everyone should know about furnace filter replacement. To find out more, keep reading.

The Importance of Replacing Your Furnace Filter

Every now and then you will need to replace your furnace filter. This is because it will naturally clog up with time, and a clogged filter is essentially useless.

A clogged furnace filter can also cause other maintenance issues with your HVAC system further down the line, so regularly replacing it is beneficial in the long run.

How Often to Replace a Furnace Filter

Knowing when to change a furnace filter is very important. If you don’t do it often enough it can cause the problems mentioned above. If you replace it too often you’ll simply be wasting money.

You should get into the habit of checking your filter about once a month. In an average home, a filter will need to be replaced about once every 2-3 months, but depending on the conditions it can be more frequent.

What if You Own Pets?

If you’re a pet owner you may find that your filter clogs faster than this. Pets can leave a lot of excess fur lying around your house, and this will rapidly clog furnace filters.

This makes monthly checks even more important, as having pets will certainly mean you need to replace your filter more often, but it’s hard to say how much. A cat with short fur won’t make a huge amount of difference, but if you have several dogs with long, shaggy fur it will cause your furnace to clog up a lot faster.

The Right Furnace Filter for You

Furnace filters come in a wide range of sizes, so make sure you know the dimensions you need before making a purchase. A cheap furnace filter will do the job in most homes, but you can pay more for higher levels of filtration.

The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is an industry-standard that specifies the efficacy of a filter. You can often find discount furnace filters at 3 different MERV ratings:

  • MERV 8: The standard filter with excellent filtration, ideal for a home with no smokers, pets, or allergies
  • MERV 11: More advanced filtration, ideal in a home with pets and/or mild allergies
  • MERV 13: Very high filtration that will catch dust particles, pollen, mold spores, dirt, pet dander, and more – better for homes with several pets or more intense allergies

You should buy your filter based on the environment of your home. If after a time you think the one you’ve chosen isn’t right, try a different one at your next purchase and compare it to see which is best. Discount Filters has all three of these ratings available in a range of sizes.

Finding a Furnace Filter Replacement

When looking for a furnace filter replacement take into account the factors above. For a home without pets or anyone with allergies, you can find discount filters for a very low price. If you need something with a higher level of filtration it will cost you a bit more, but it’s worth it to ensure the air in your home is clean.

If you’re interested in more home & garden articles check out some of our other blog posts.