It’s Getting Chilly Out There!

Knoxville HVAC: How Frequently Should I Change My Furnace Filter?

Fall is here and we’re inching closer and closer to the snowy seasons and cold weather. With the sudden drop in temperature it’s common for people to run to the thermostat and click on the furnace to warm up. However, before the cold weather shows up it’s critical to take some precautions to ensure that your winter season is spent staying warm and not having to call the repair guy.

First, we want to be aware that dirty filters cause damage to our furnace by requiring the furnace to work even harder. When there is build-up, pet particles, rust, and other things of this nature it’s easy for the furnace to stop working at optimum efficiency. Once this starts to occur, you’re taxing the furnace which can cause damage to the device as well as poor air quality within the space.

The best method for figuring out how often we should change out our filters is by first inspecting the filter type. If you’ve found that your filter is a single ply, or 1 layer thick, it’s recommended that you change this out monthly. These thin filters are cheap and reliable but they only block out the bigger particles that come through. Smaller, and sometimes toxic, particles can still make it through and lower air quality.

Routinely checking your filter is something you should do on a monthly, or at the most, bi-monthly basis. Also, take into consideration the amount of wear and tear your furnace has to withstand to keep your house warm. Having kids, animals, or a cluttered home can all require more frequent filter changes.

Should I Have My Furnace Inspected Every Year?

It’s recommended that your furnace be inspected yearly in order to prevent any kind of issues that may arise in the future. These inspections help the furnace run more efficiently and make sure that all the components are working properly. A furnace inspection includes, but is not limited to, the following.

• Thermostat accuracy
• Connectivity within the wiring
• Lubrication of all internal parts
• Air flow regulation
• Cleaning of the device

When all of these areas are inspected and running correctly you will notice a huge increase in air quality. These annual inspections can increase the air quality of your home and air output from the ducts.

Serving your Knoxville community every day. Give Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. a call at (865) 583-3957 for guaranteed quality furnace inspection services!