Have you checked your furnace air filter lately?

Now that winter in Northern New Jersey is a somewhat distant memory, you may not be thinking about your furnace much. It’s a good idea to remember to change your furnace air filter, though. Why? Because it protects your equipment and saves you money in the long run. Read on to learn more.

Why is changing your filter such a big deal?

Changing your air filter is just one way to boost your heater’s health, and your own. Plus, this simple, ten-minute, inexpensive task can extend your heater’s life in a big way and can have you and your household:

• Breathing clean: When your air filter is full of junk, a tipping point occurs when the filter is not able to collect any additional dirt and debris. With nowhere to go, the dirt ends up circulating in your home and breathed in by your family.
• Extending your furnace’s lifespan: A consistently dirty filter puts a lot of excess strain on your heating system. That’s because it requires more energy to push air through a clogged filter, and that extra force means more wear and tear on your furnace.
• Preventing costly breakdowns and repairs: An air filter clogged with debris will cause the system to overheat and shut down. This is especially true if your furnace is more than 20 years old, since you are missing out on today’s high-efficiency heating technology. Fredericks Fuel is proud to install furnaces by such well-known manufacturers as Hallmark Regal and Thermopride, and our technicians are trained to install your new furnace safely and professionally, so you reap maximum comfort and savings.
• Saving on your utility bills: The extra force needed to push air through a clogged filter costs you money on your energy bills. On the flipside, a clean filter means you’re breathing cleaner air, and paying less for it.

Can’t I just wait until next fall?

The short answer is: Not if you want your furnace to be working when it’s time to switch it back on. If you have central air or your heating and cooling systems use the same ductwork and fans, you’ll want to change the air filter in your furnace, even when you aren’t heating your home. Everything from allergens and pet dander to dirt and debris continues to circulate in the spring and summer and can end up in your furnace filter, even when you’re cranking up the air conditioning instead. Don’t kick off next fall with a dirty filter that could have your furnace overheating before it even gets going.

How to ensure your air filter is clean

Now that you’re on board with checking your air filter’s quality, it’s important to know how to do it safely.

1. Turn off the furnace system’s power. It’s important to do this before you proceed.
2. Locate the air filter. A filter is usually somewhere along the system’s return air duct. It may be in a wall or ceiling, or in the furnace itself.
3. Remove the air filter. Many of the new filters slide in and out so it is easy to remove them and put them back.

Keeping local residents comfortable for more than 130 years

Fredericks Fuel & Heating Service is proud to be the fuel company of choice for hundreds of homes and businesses in the North Jersey area. We deliver heating oil and commercial fuels in surrounding towns, and we are a full-service heating company as well. Our highly trained technicians can install and service virtually and kind of heating equipment, air conditioners, water heaters, fuel tanks and more.

Heating oil has proven to be a remarkably resilient and efficient choice over the decades, and it continues to enjoy tremendous popularity today. If you heat with oil or if you need advice on heating for your home or business, please contact us today. We will be glad to share our many years of expertise with you.