Filter facts
What size filter do I need?
- If you have an old filter, remove it. The size should be printed on the side.
- If there is no filter in the space provided, measure the length and width of the space the filter should fit into. Some furnaces have a door casing you will need to open first to find the space the filter will fit into. Measure closely as you will want it to fit snugly.
How to install a filter?
Installing a filter is easy! Open the filter door (if there is one), slide out the old filter, line up the new filter so it will slide in and place it into the . Close the door if there is one! One of the most common questions we get is “Which way does the arrow go?” The arrow points toward the furnace unit. (It will be pointing away from the air duct.)
Why Change a Filter?
It is important to change air filters for many reasons.
- A good quality filter is what keeps the air in your home or office clean by removing bacteria and harmful particles in the air you breathe. A clean filter will help keep you and your family healthy. A quality filter will remove dust, allergens, and even bacteria related to cold and flu viruses, as well as nasty fumes you do not want lurking in your home.
- A good, clean filter allows the HVAC system to run efficiently which will save you money! It also keeps your HVAC system in good working order and in need of fewer repairs. A clogged filter causes the system to have to work harder, and that causes it to use more energy, raising your energy bills. If your system has no filter at all, the inter-workings of the HVAC system can get clogged and can cause some big problems.
- A clean filter will catch more particles and help keep the dust down in your home, creating less cleaning for you!
How often to Change Filters?
How often you change your filter depends on a few factors, including things like having a busy family with lots of people coming and going, having pets in the home, or someone in the household with allergies or activities that generate indoor fumes
Generally, we recommend replacing your filter every 3 months. It is best if you can write down the date you change your filter so you can anticipate when the next change is due. Better yet, sign up for our automatic renewal service and we’ll just deliver them to your door at the recommended date.
Which Efficiency to Choose?
Efficiency levels are listed by MERV Ratings. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a basic way to compare the quality of the filters available for purchase. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles such as dust, pet dander, allergens, and bacteria your filter will remove from the air you breathe. Matching the right MERV rating for your home, can improve your air quality and the life of your HVAC system.
MERV rating information:
Merv 8 (MPR 600) Lint, Dust, Pollen, Dust Mites, & Mold Spores
Merv 11 (MPR 1000 – 1200) MERV 8 items + Pet Dander, Smog, Smoke, Cough/Sneeze
Merv 13 (MPR 1500 – 1900) Merv 11 items + Bacteria & Virus Carriers
What about a filter for a LEED certified “green building”?
Green Building is a collection of practices and techniques intended to reduce and ultimately eliminate the negative impacts of buildings on the environment. Buildings can be made more “green” by using materials and making decisions that positively benefit health, economics and the environment. Our “green” filters meet the requirements of this program.
Standard or High Capacity Filters
Simply stated, the high capacity filters will capture more particles than the standard capacity filters. The one to choose depends on your surroundings, lifestyle and needs. If you have minimal dust, no pets, and few people in and out of your home, standard capacity might be the one to choose. If you have a more active family and need your filter to clean more items out of the air, then the high capacity is probably the better choice. (Some people compare this to an ink cartridge in a computer printer. The higher capacity cartridges contain more ink and will print more pieces of paper. If you print a lot, you’d want to choose the high capacity, if you don’t print often standard works just fine. The same is true for filters.)
