{"id":2070,"date":"2024-12-23T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/?p=2070"},"modified":"2024-12-20T13:41:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T18:41:47","slug":"mid-winter-checkup-its-time-to-change-the-air-filter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/heating-service\/mid-winter-checkup-its-time-to-change-the-air-filter\/","title":{"rendered":"Mid-Winter Checkup: It\u2019s Time to Change the Air Filter!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"close-up-view-of-an-air-filter\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Winter is well and truly underway. You\u2019ve been using your heating system for a while now. Don\u2019t forget that your furnace needs a little bit of love from time to time throughout the winter! While annual heating system maintenance must be done by a qualified professional, you should be doing regular air filter changes yourself. Here\u2019s how!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Consider the Timing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How often should your furnace\u2019s air filter be changed? That depends on a few factors. While the usual recommendation is every one to three months, this isn\u2019t always the case. During the spring and fall, or warmer stretches when you don\u2019t use your heat every day, you can change the filter less frequently. If you have pets who shed a lot, live near dusty construction, or are doing home renovations, change the filter more frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Turn Off the Heating System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want your furnace to be running without an air filter. More importantly, for your safety, you don\u2019t want to be handling components of the furnace while it\u2019s still powered up! Before you start an air filter change, make sure the heating system is completely shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Remove the Filter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This job does not require any tools, and is a simple, straightforward job. Just slide the filter out of place until it comes free. The filter will generally be located near where the return air duct and the furnace are connected. It may also be in the blower cabinet, easily accessed with a panel or slot. If you\u2019re uncertain, consult your owner\u2019s manual, or call us to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Replace the Filter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Slide a new filter into position. Make sure it is facing the right direction: the filter will have arrows on it to line up with the slot. If you aren\u2019t sure what type of filters you need to purchase for your furnace, we\u2019re always happy to help you figure it out. Furnace filters aren\u2019t expensive, and they\u2019re certainly more affordable\u2014and more convenient\u2014than allowing a clogged air filter to lead to furnace breakdowns and costly repair needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5: Turn the Furnace Back On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve got the filter replaced, start the furnace up again. It won\u2019t just run as well as it did before. It will run better! A clogged air filter will lead to inefficiency, higher utility bills, abbreviated short heating cycles, uneven temperatures throughout your home, and strain on all the various components of your furnace. It can potentially even shorten the furnace\u2019s life expectancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping the filter clean maximizes airflow. This will prevent overheating inside the furnace cabinet, which will trigger the limit switch to shut down the heating cycles before your home is warm enough. It will help the heat be distributed all throughout your home. And it will even reduce dust, improving your indoor air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With routine maintenance every year, air filter changes approximately once a month, and prompt repair whenever you notice a problem with your furnace, you will have effective and efficient heating in Skokie, IL<\/a> all winter long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact ServiceMax<\/strong><\/a> with any questions about your furnace.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While annual heating system maintenance must be done by a qualified professional, you should be doing regular air filter changes yourself. Here\u2019s how!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[76],"tags":[6,88],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2070"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2073,"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070\/revisions\/2073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goservicemax.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}