| people are blissfully unaware of what it means to | | | | that you can use to accomplish this. Many furnace |
| have an effective furnace filter or what a furnace | | | | filters are disposable but there are also variations |
| filter even does. Here is a small handful of tips | | | | that are reusable or refillable in nature. Furnace |
| which should not only explain what furnace filters | | | | filters also come in a variety of different |
| are and how they work, but also how to best | | | | materials, including natural fibers, manmade fibers, |
| maintain your furnace filter for improved air | | | | metal and fiberglass. Get more information about |
| quality and safety. | | | | furnace filters at |
| - The dust in your home is more than dust. It is | | | | - The purpose of a furnace filter is to protect |
| composed of pollen, mold spores, plant spores, | | | | air-handling equipment, meaning that it is important |
| lint, bacteria, pet dander, skin cells and many other | | | | that they are maintained or replaced exactly how |
| contaminants. Dusting, vacuuming, smoking or | | | | the manufacturer recommends. If you do not |
| cooking indoors, can actually increase particulate | | | | maintain or replace them as recommended by the |
| concentrations. Can you imagine how much dust is | | | | manufacturer then they can become dangerous |
| currently flying about around you, without you | | | | by restricting airflow and causing fires, carbon |
| even knowing it? This is what makes having an | | | | monoxide leaks, or worse. Maintenance truly is |
| effective furnace filter so important. | | | | key when it comes to getting the most out of |
| - Dust particles are measured in microns, and | | | | your furnace filter. When filters become loaded |
| range drastically in size from microscopic, to | | | | with particles, there is less air flow capacity which |
| relatively large. The tiniest dust particles make up | | | | cuts down on the efficiency of the filter and |
| more than 99% of the debris floating around in | | | | causes the rest of the machinery to work extra |
| the air inside your home. You can be inhaling a | | | | hard to operate. |
| large amount of these particles on a daily basis, as | | | | - Make sure to keep the manufacturer's |
| they often bypass your respiratory system's | | | | instructions handy so you always know how to |
| defense mechanisms with little trouble. Learn | | | | maintain and repair your furnace filter and other |
| more about how to keep your furnace filter clean | | | | important furnace equipment. These instructions |
| at | | | | will also show you where the furnace filter is |
| - Breathing these particles can create a number | | | | located and will indicate how often you should |
| of health effects, including coughing, asthma | | | | have your furnace inspected by a licensed |
| attacks, wheezing, cancer, decreased lung | | | | contractor. |
| function, heart attacks and even premature | | | | - Look for the highest available efficiency filter |
| death. This is all in addition to a wide variety of | | | | that will work with your furnace. The best way to |
| different allergic reactions. | | | | do this is to choose a furnace filter with a high |
| - The best way to limit the source of these dust | | | | MERV rating. The MERV rating will be listed on the |
| particles it to eliminate them, and one great way | | | | packaging. A MERV rating of 11 or higher is |
| to accomplish that involves installing high efficiency | | | | recommended for the healthiest air quality in your |
| furnace filters and air conditioning filters. High | | | | home. |
| efficiency filters, like HEPA filters for example, are | | | | - If you have a family member with asthma or |
| excellent for capturing a large amount of these | | | | other respiratory problems, you may want to |
| particles, keeping them from contaminating the air | | | | replace or maintain your furnace filter even more |
| that you are breathing on a constant basis. | | | | often to keep the air clean. There is no harm in |
| - Proper filtration is the best way to remove | | | | over-maintaining or replacing more often than |
| dust, dirt and mold particles from the air. There | | | | necessary. |
| are a number of different types of furnace filters | | | | |