It surprises some of our customers throughout North Carolina to realize just how important it is to replace their furnace filter. Changing your filter regularly has a tremendous impact on your health, as well as the health of your furnace.

The air you breathe indoors is polluted with contaminants. In fact, some studies show that indoor air is 5x more polluted than the air you breathe outdoors.

And, you breathe your indoor home air more than any other air.

The right kind of furnace filter will prevent unhealthy contaminants from invading your home. And these filters promote effective airflow throughout your HVAC system and home.

Without a proper fitting, effective filter, you could be breathing in:

• Dust mites
• Mold
• Germs and viruses
• Dead skin
• Pet dander
• Pollen/other allergens
• Chemical fumes
• Smoke

A high-efficiency air filter (rated MERV 8 or above) is your first line of defense. These types of filters trap airborne contaminants before they make it back into your living areas.

That means you breathe cleaner air. We here at Comfort First of N.C. can help you find the best furnace filter option to keep the air you breathe clean and healthy.

Changing Your Filter – Make It A Priority

While filters are designed to keep the air you breathe cleaner, they don’t last forever. Over time, trapped contaminants build up on your filter, restricting airflow and making it harder for your filter to remove new pollutants from your indoor air.

Not only that, but dirty filters cause strain on your HVAC system. That means your system works harder to move conditioned air throughout your home. That, in turn, likely will increase your energy bill.

Needless to say, it’s important to remember to change your furnace filter regularly. But what does “regularly” mean?

We recommend you change your filter according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Although, certain conditions in your home (like if you have pets) will impact your schedule.

Standard 1-inch filters should be changed every 1-3 months. High-efficiency filters can be changed every 6-9 months. Checking your filter is pretty easy. We recommend you check your filter every month. If it’s covered with debris, it’s time to change it.

Also, most filters allow you to write the date that you installed the new filter right on the filter itself. This is one of the most effective ways to remember when it’s time to get a new filter.

If you need any help choosing the right filters or want to know why your HVAC system isn’t performing as well as it used to, give our certified HVAC pros a call. We serve all of North Carolina proudly.