Cleaning and Replacing Furnace Filters

If it has been a while since you check your furnace filter, then it is probably time to clean or replace it. Remember that a clean filter let's your furnace breath easier, thus reducing the effort on your furnace's blower. This will keep your furnace happily running and reduce the amount of energy that it uses. Here are some quick steps to follow when replacing your filter:

Furnace Filter Replacement/Cleaning Steps

These steps are for replacing and/or cleaning removable furnace filters. You should check your filter at least once a month during times when the furnace and/or A/C is in use. Note: Never use your furnace without a furnace filter installed - this can cause damage to your furnace's internal parts.

  1. Turn of the furnace: This is to protect both you and your furnace - you don't want the furnace to turn on while you are working on it.
  2. Clean up the area around the furnace: You don't want to accidently transfer dirt or dust into the furnace while you are changing the filter.
  3. Open the front panel of the furnace: This step is unnecessary if the furnace filter is located in the return ductwork.
  4. Locate the furnace filter: It will be located near the intake blower, either inside the furnace or in the return ductwork.
  5. Check the furnace filter: Check to see if the furnace filter has dust built up on the filter mesh/screen surface (hold screen up to light and see if you can see through it).
  6. Clean or dispose of filter: For reusable filters, use a hose to rinse the dust off the filter, and for disposable style furnace filters, note the size, throw it away and buy a new filter of the same size.
  7. Put furnace filter back: Place the new or reusable filter back into the furnace.
  8. Close up furnace and turn it back on: Make sure you remove any tools or other items from the furnace and then put the front panel back on the furnace. Turn the furnace back on.