One routine service item is cleaning your furnaces flame sensor. If you feel comfortable doing this yourself. you can clean the furnace’s flame sensor with a wire brush, very fine sandpaper or steel wool. First, turn off the power to the furnace. Then, remove the access panel to get to the sensor (which should be near the burner assembly opposite from the ignitor). Use the wire brush or sandpaper to lightly scrub away any dirt or debris on the sensor.

Be careful not to damage the sensor or crack the porcelain as you work. Once it’s clean, replace the access panel and turn the power back on, if you would rather leave this to a professional, or need help along the way feel free to call or text Howe at 605-339-2020.

The only real answer to this is to change your furnace air filter when it needs to be changed, this can vary dramatically based on several things like, how thick the filter is and how much particulate it is capturing. Generally, 1” filters last between 1-3 months but a 4” filter can last 6-12 months. It may be necessary to replace the filter more or less often depending on your home.

Having pets in the home will generally reduce filter life. Using cool mist humidifiers or essential oils with tap water will greatly reduce filter life because the minerals in the water will find their way onto the air filter. Larger households with more powerful furnaces may have to replace their furnace air filter more often, potentially each month to retain maximum benefits.

One good way to see if your furnace filter is clean or dirty is to hold it up to bright light and see how much light comes through the filter. Comparing that to a new filter will quickly give you an idea of how dirty the old filter is. Once you know how long your filter generally lasts you can plan on a replacement schedule. Since filters are inexpensive you may choose to just replace it before it needs to be replaced.

Many brands have adopted their own proprietary rating system that can lead to a lot of confusion. Instead, the US Department of Energy rates filter efficiency using the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating system. This standardized system measures how effectively a filter removes particles as air passes through an air filter. While you can choose to use a filter with a MERV rating as high as you want, it is worth noting that filters with higher MERV ratings can reduce airflow, which may lead to problems. A filter is an excellent choice for general residential air filtration; they are affordable, do not overly reduce air flow, and can provide above average air filtration in your home.

There will be an airflow direction arrow on the air filter – that arrow will point towards the furnace when installed correctly. The air goes through the filter before it goes into the furnace to be heated and redistributed back into your home.

Your furnace’s air filter can be located in or beside the blower compartment of your furnace, or air handler. There should be a door or panel you can open to access the furnace filter. This filter is often installed in the return air (cold air return) ductwork.

It’s important to regularly change your furnace air filter to ensure optimal furnace performance and efficiency. A clean furnace filter also helps to improve indoor air quality. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install a furnace air filter:

• First, locate your furnace filter.
• Once you’ve located the filter, open the door or panel that provides access to it.
• Remove the old furnace filter and dispose of it properly.
• Install the new furnace filter.