Your furnace and boiler need regular cleaning to work properly and to last as long as possible. One of the furnace cleaning steps you can handle on your own is changing the filter. Your furnace’s air filter helps protect the air quality in your home and keeps dust and debris out of your vents, so it’s important to check on it at least every few months.

How to Change Your Furnace or Boiler Filter

1. Locate the Filter

There are a few places your filter can be located. It can be in the furnace assembly itself—usually in the blower compartment—or it may also be in the air duct system. If you have a new furnace or aren’t familiar with your older system, take a few minutes to locate the filter before you need to change it.

2. Check the Existing Filter

The life spans of different types of filters vary and are affected by the air quality of your home, so there is no hard and fast rule for how often you should change them. Instead, take out the existing filter in your boiler or furnace and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, it’s clogged and needs replacement. 

3. Learn the Size & Type of Filter

Your air filter should have information on it about the size it fits. Make sure the replacement you buy is the same size. The type of filter you choose depends on a number of factors; for instance, if you want protection from allergens, you should choose a HEPA filter, while other types might suffice in other circumstances. A furnace cleaning professional can advise you on the best type for you. 

4. Switch the Filters Out

Actually replacing the filter in your furnace or boiler is as simple as sliding the old one out of its slot and replacing it with the new one. Make sure it’s seated correctly and isn’t crooked or fitted incorrectly.

5. Close Up Carefully

If the compartment is left open, it may affect the air flow through your furnace system, making your filter less effective. Make sure the door or panel latches or is screwed back into place according to its design. If you have any questions about how this should fit, ask your furnace cleaning professional when they perform annual maintenance. 

If you need help locating your filter or you need more in-depth furnace cleaning, choose Gary's Repair & Burner Service in Ester, AK. Serving the Fairbanks area and drawing on 30 years of experience in furnace and boiler repair, they will help you protect your home from Alaska’s harsh weather with furnace cleaning, installation, repairs, and maintenance. To schedule a visit, call (907) 474-0736 or send a message online.