A Common Heating Myth Exposed
You’ve probably heard it countless times: “You must change your furnace filter every single month, no exceptions!” At Riley Heating & Cooling, we’re here to tell you that this widely-spread advice isn’t always accurate for every household.
The truth is, the frequency of filter replacement depends on several factors:
- Number of occupants in your home
- Presence of pets
- Local air quality
- Type of filter being used
- Season and HVAC usage
For example, a single person living in a clean Elmwood Park apartment might only need to change their high-quality pleated filter every 3-4 months. Meanwhile, a family of five with three dogs in Oak Park may indeed need monthly replacements.
How to Know When It’s Really Time
Instead of blindly following the monthly rule, we recommend:
1. Visually inspecting your filter every month
2. Changing it when it appears dirty or clogged
3. Using the manufacturer’s recommendations as a starting point
4. Adjusting based on your home’s specific needs
Remember, while changing filters too infrequently can harm your system, changing them too often is simply wasteful and unnecessary. For personalized advice about your heating system’s maintenance needs in the Melrose Park area, contact the professionals at Riley Heating & Cooling.
Don’t let myths drive up your maintenance costs – let experience and expertise guide your heating system care instead.