In these trying economic times, saving money any way you possibly can is a good thing to do. One of the biggest expenses homeowners will face is taking care of their furnace and getting it "winter-ready." Even though it's the high, hot peak of summer, thinking ahead about your furnace is a good thing to do.
Your furnace not only heats your home, it keeps the air healthy, circulating, and flowing in the house. The dust in your home is made up of pollen, plant and mold spores, pet dander, lint, bacteria, and other contaminants. Regular household cleaning activities such as dusting, vacuuming, and cooking can also increase these particulate concentrations. That's where your furnace filter comes in. The filter is the place to get rid of all of these contaminants and circulate healthy, breathable air throughout your home.
There are several filter options out there. The first is a typical pleated filter. These can be more efficient than the old fashioned panel filter because they increase the surface area for particle collection with the pleats. Bear in mind, though, that the flow velocity through the filter can be reduced when the filter collects particles. It is crucial to change a pleated filter regularly so as not to restrict airflow. This is to prevent any further common furnace problems.
Panel filters are the fiberglass filters installed in the ductwork of most home heating and air conditioning systems. They do very little to remove contaminants from the air. Their primary function is to protect the fan and minimize the amount of dust on the heating and cooling coil. The are, however, somewhat useful at capturing larger particles from the air. There are ways to upgrade this furnace system by using a high-efficiency filter to trap the additional, smaller pollutants.
Finally, washable/reusable filters are constructed to be washed and reused. Therefore, they are only as good and effective as the number of times they are washed. Although they never get completely clean and easily get clogged up with particles which restrict household air flow. If the homeowner is diligent about keeping them clean and making sure that their furnace system itself is inspected on a regular basis, they can be an economical choice for keeping the house warm and the household air healthy.
Saving money is a good thing. However, you really don't want to skimp on your family's health and interior air. Make sure you know about and understand all the furnace filter options before selecting the one which keeps your air the cleanest, circulates healthy air freely, and is the best for your budget.
