Do you use a furnace in order to heat your home? If so, then you are no doubt already familiar with the many benefits of doing so. Furnaces, both gas and electric models, can be quite efficient, and their method of heating air and then distributing that heated air throughout the house via a set of ductwork allows for the prompt, effective heating of one’s home. When you invest in a great furnace and have it tuned up annually, you can expect years of great heating output.
Or, at least, you can when you do your part. While routine maintenance is definitely a must, there is one maintenance task that you really need to take charge of on your own when it comes to successful heating in Thornton, CO. That is the regular changing of the air filter in your furnace. This air filter plays a vital role in the function of your furnace—though it may not be precisely what you think it is.
Why Is a Fresh Filter So Important?
A lot of homeowners think that this air filter is there to protect their indoor air quality and the fact that their indoor air quality seems fine means that the filter is fine. This is not really the case. Yes, a very dirty air filter can negatively affect the quality of the air in your home. However, protecting indoor air quality throughout the living space really is not the primary function of this filter.
Instead, the filter’s main job is to protect the HVAC system itself. A more powerful, designated air filtration system is the way to go if you really want to boost air quality in your home. This filter serves to prevent pollutants from entering the system and building upon its many sensitive components.
What Kind of Problems Does a Dirty Filter Cause?
Quite a few, actually. If your air filter is very dirty, then airflow resistance is going to be a serious issue. Think about blowing through a straw. No big deal, right? But when that straw has a kink in it, or if the wrapper is stuffed in the opposite end, it’s a lot harder to force air through. The same principle holds with your air filter and your furnace.
The harder that the system has to work to force air through its air filter, the more energy the system is going to use in order to do its job. That means that you are going to wind up paying more to heat your home, and likely with lesser results. Plus, the strain put on the system makes it more likely that you’ll encounter operational problems with your heater. That is a major problem when temperatures are at their lowest point.
By simply changing your air filter regularly, a step that requires just a few dollars and a few minutes, you protect your comfort, your health, and the overall condition of your HVAC system. We think that is an investment well worth making. Contact us today with any questions that you may have.
Luke Cooper is the General Manager of the Cooper Green team and son of Gary Cooper, owner and CEO of Cooper HVAC. After years in the field, Luke took his talents to management and has helped thousands of Colorado homeowners during hot summers and frigid winters. His decade of experience in the field and guiding the company makes him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in Colorado on HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other home services.
