Maintaining an efficient furnace requires the annual assistance of a professional, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to help out along the way. One of the most important maintenance tasks that a homeowner can perform is to routinely change the furnace filter.

This relatively simple task serves to provide many efficiency benefits, including:

• System protection – From an efficiency standpoint, furnace filters are your first real line of defense against unwanted particulates entering your heating components. If air were to pass through your system unfiltered, the dirt and debris that would eventually build up would hurt your furnace operation. Unfortunately, neglecting your filters can eventually lead to the same problems.
• Improved airflow – When your furnace filters become clogged, airflow is restricted. Not only does this throw off the balance of pressure, but it causes your furnace to work harder to provide the same results, straining your system and wasting energy dollars. By keeping furnace filters free and clear of debris, you alleviate unnecessary strain on your system, enhancing efficiency and extending system longevity.
• Efficient filtration – When your filter is fresh and clean, it’s able to effectively filter unwanted particulates from your air. As it begins to clog, filtration is no longer an efficient process, which means particulates not only enter the components of your system, they are sent back into household circulation.