{"id":533,"date":"2022-02-07T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moonsair.com\/blog\/?p=533"},"modified":"2022-02-04T08:18:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T14:18:09","slug":"changing-air-filter-heater-why-keep-up-with-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moonsair.com\/blog\/heating-service\/changing-air-filter-heater-why-keep-up-with-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing the Air Filter for Your Heater: Here\u2019s Why You Need to Keep Up With This Job"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"pleated-air-filter\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Have you changed the filter for your home\u2019s heater so far this summer? Have you even thought about the filter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry if you answer \u201cno\u201d to either question\u2014plenty of people forget about this routine task. Everyone gets busy, and some basic maintenance jobs can slip through the cracks. We wrote this post specifically to help you remember to change the filter and to keep up with regular changes in the future. It\u2019s a basic part of heating maintenance and can spare you many troubles with your heater later on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Job of the Filter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, we want to clarify what the filter on your HVAC system does, because people often make the mistake of thinking it\u2019s to improve indoor air quality. It has some small effect on air quality, but its true job is to protect the interior of the HVAC system from the dust and debris that come through the return air vents. The filter doesn\u2019t self-clean, so it will eventually become clogged up with the lint, dust, and fibers it\u2019s picked up. This is why it\u2019s necessary to put in a clean filter regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Frequency of Filter Changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How often do you need to change the filter in your HVAC system? It depends on the strength of the filter and how often you run either the heater or the AC (if you have a standard HVAC system where these systems both use the same filter). Simple screen filters should be changed monthly, while stronger pleated filters may need to be changed only every three months. You may be able to extend the time if you aren\u2019t often using the HVAC system during fall and spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Filter Changes Are Important<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A simple way to think about a clogged filter is to imagine that it\u2019s nasal congestion in your body. You have to work harder to draw air through a stuffy nose, and the same principle applies to the HVAC system\u2014a clogged filter places more strain on the blower motor to pull air into the system. This can lead to several problems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n