All the air that passes through your central furnace or air conditioner passes through its air filter. This removes small particles like dust, pollen, and mold spores from the air, preventing them from coating the inner workings of your HVAC system, and removing them from your air supply so you don’t breathe them in. But this action clogs your air filter over time, which is why you need to replace your filter every month or so. If you have trouble remembering to perform this maintenance task, try these tips to help yourself remember:
- Fold the filter replacement into other monthly habits. If you’re used to doing something every month, just make a point to change your furnace filter at the same time. Adding onto an existing habit is much easier than forming a new one.
- Keep your filters somewhere easy to access, that you’ll see frequently. Do you have a cleaning closet where you keep a vacuum, perhaps? Keeping your furnace air filters there can serve as a visible reminder to change them out when you need to.
- Use a calendar or smartphone reminder app to help you remember. An e-calendar can easily set up a reminder for each month, meaning that you don’t have to remember to update your reminders!
- Know the signs of a clogged air filter. If the air coming out of your ducts is sluggish or you see your energy bills jump, it’s a good sign that your filter is clogged. Make your filter the first thing you check if you suspect something is wrong with your furnace or A/C.
- Write reminders on the filters themselves. If you have them stored in a conspicuous place, writing the name of the month you plan to use them can help to jog your memory.
A clean air filter helps protect your system, and replacing it is an easy DIY task. To learn more about air filters for your Cleveland-area home, contact Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues. For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or give us a call at 440-345-8795.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “M.-Dykstra/Shutterstock”
