Many responsible homeowners manage to replace their furnace filters on a set schedule in order to maintain peak heating performance. But what if a set schedule just isn’t good enough? What if you check your filter periodically and find it completely clogged weeks or months ahead of schedule? What’s going on? Below are some possible reasons why your furnace’s filters may be clogging prematurely.

• Pet hair is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to clogged and dirty furnace filters — especially if your pet is shedding! In order to prevent premature filter failure, make sure to brush your pet regularly and vacuum your home often.
• Leaving your fan switch set to “on” may help improve indoor air quality by constantly circulating air and allowing the filters to trap particles, but it also puts more demand on your system’s filters, keeping them busy trapping particles 24/7. This can certainly lead to premature filter failure. Switching your fan setting to “auto” will certainly help extend the life of your filter but be aware your indoor air quality may be affected. Further, long cold spells may also force your heating system to work constantly, which has a similar effect on your filters as leaving your system on “auto”.
• A very high MERV rating for your filters means that they can trap particles much smaller than traditional filters, which means that the lifespan of your filter may decrease. It’s important to note that you should always use a filter with a MERV rating that is compatible with your furnace, otherwise you may damage your system. If you are unsure about the proper MERV rating for your furnace, please contact a skilled HVAC professional. To read more about MERV ratings, click here.

Remember, your furnace’s air filters are some of the most important components of your HVAC system, take care of them and your system will take care of you!

Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating is one of Manhattan and Nassau County’s leading HVAC contractors. We offer a full range of air conditioning and heating services, including: installations, maintenance, 24 hour emergency service and so much more. Call our experts today at 516-799-0700. We’re A+ Rated by the Better Business Bureau.