Do furnaces and air conditioners use the same type of filter? Let’s take a look at whether you should use a different HVAC filter during the winter in your Fayetteville, North Carolina, home.
The Truth Behind Changing Furnace Filters
You don’t necessarily need to use a different HVAC filter during the winter. You may, however, need to change the filter more often than you do during other times of the year. In North Carolina, winters are sometimes bitterly cold, and other times, they are quite mild.
The temperature outside and the extent to which you run the furnace during the winter will significantly impact how often you should change the filter. The best way to determine whether to change it is to look at it. If it’s dirty, change it.
The material and type of furnace filter you use will also impact how often you need to change it. Cheap fiberglass filters need to be changed once a month to ensure the furnace runs with optimal efficiency. A more expensive, pleated filter will likely last up to three months before you need to change it. If you or someone in the home has asthma or allergies, it’s typically best to change the filter once a month.
Choosing a Filter for the Winter
A fiberglass or synthetic filter is going to be inexpensive. On the downside, it provides only minimal protection for air quality. An electrostatic filter is more expensive, but it doesn’t have to be replaced. Instead, you clean it once a month and use it over and over.
While this filter may seem like it can save money on heating expenses, there have been reports of biological growth with electrostatic filters. Pleated HVAC filters tend to be the most effective. They help a furnace operate more efficiently and offer maximum protection for your home’s air quality.
Cape Fear Air, Electric, & Plumbing specializes in a variety of furnace installation, repair, and maintenance services. To learn more about using the right type of filter on your furnace during the winter, contact us at 910-216-9394.
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