How often do you replace your furnace filters? I’ll totally admit that I don’t even think about it… until of course I started to notice a thick layer of dust on everything about 30 seconds after I’ve finished dusting. Then, I’m like, oh, yeah I guess I’d better check on that.
Sure enough, when I pulled that sucker out of there it looked like a scene from hoarders–seriously, underneath the dust I found an old PB&J Sandwich and a sock.
Here’s the thing, maintaining your furnace is like the ultimate penny pinching. Costly repairs resulting from sheer forgetfulness {let’s not point fingers, that would be rude} would be lame. Dirty filters cause your system to work harder because it reduces overall air flow. The more dust particles the furnace is trying to move through the system, the less efficient your system become. It’s basic trigonometry.
Since changing your filter once a month is the most basic of furnace maintenance, I marched down the The Home Depot and picked up a year’s supply. Now, be forewarned, there’s about a billion choices {give or take}. Each filter has a MERV {Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value} rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the filter. The same general principle applies for the cost. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the cost. If you have someone in your house with allergies, you may want to consider splurging a bit, as the higher rated filters will catch more of the small particles that tend to fly up noises and aggravate. I chatted up my local Home Depot representative {I am pretty sure they are not called representatives, but since he did “represent,” I coined him that} and he helped me pick some out that will work for our system. They were pretty much exactly like the one I took out, so it wasn’t like it was rocket science, but still, it’s nice to be guided along–less lonely that way.
They have a handy little spot that you can write the date on, so that you can remember just how far behind you are on changing them ;). I chose some that only need to be changed every 90 days because I know myself too well–every month just ain’t gonna happen.
It would be so nice if I had a house full of staff to attend to these things while I took luncheon, Downton Abbey style.
How often do you change your furnace filter?
~Mavis
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.
Kathy says
It gets changed once a month fail, regardless if it’s a 30 or 90 day filter. I know, changing the 90 day early is wasteful, but having severe allergies, it works well for me. Got in the habit many years ago when I was first married and living in the Valley of the Sun…Phoenix. Arozona allergies were worse than Ohio allergies, dust everywhere (even with dusting every day), desert living is grand because of weather but the dust is a killer!
Allison says
My dad owns an HVAC company in the Austin, TX area and I just came to work for him! Family business is FUN (did I mention my 2 year is currently terrorizing the office)! Here in Texas we focus quite a bit more on Air Conditioning than Heating.
You are totally right about the ultimate penny pinching is maintenance. Its the difference if your system lasts 10 years- or well over 20 years. That could easily be a savings of ten to twenty thousand dollars plus!!!!
We recommend that people check their filters on the first of the month, every month. A 90 day filter is a great thought- but in practice they may not perform fully that entire time. You might start to see a pattern with your home/area that your filters get dirty super fast during certain times of the year and still need to be changed monthly, and other times they still look clean after 3 months!
Also- I’m not sure about Costco- but SAMs sometimes has 3 packs for very reasonable prices! Consider carrying a card in your wallet with your filter sizes so you can easily stock up when you see a special or sale.
Congratulations on maintaining your new home.
-Allison
Marie says
When I change my filter (about every three months) I write the date on the filter. Then I flip through the calendar and schedule the filter change in. If I’ve used the last filter, I also put them on my shopping list, so I have them on hand next time I need them.
We learned the hard way to take care of our furnace but it has REALLY paid off.
E in Upstate NY where it's NEGATIVE 2 with sun shining! says
trigonometry?
Rosaleen says
One of my sons started giving his frugal mother a hard time when he found her washing a furnace filter. What a cheapskate, huh? Well, there are in existence electrostatic WASHABLE filters, which is what we have, I try to remember to vacuum and wash the filter a couple of times a season.
michael says
Once A month-Have it programed on my phone calendar along with the filter size and price. that way i know where to look it up if I come across what I think is a deal.
Raymond Dean White says
I bought permanent micro filters and had them installed after a thorough duct work cleaning. I take them out every two months, wash them and dry them and reinstall them. Dust has ceased being a problem and I live in the desert SW–one of the dustiest places on Earth.
carolyn says
We learned the hard way that a dirty filter can cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage so I have a reminder in my cell phone that pops up the 1st of the month.