Where it concerns the health of you and your family, it is important that you choose a suitable furnace filter. If you are a first-time homeowner, or just renting a home for the first time, then you definitely want to find a cost-effective solution for a furnace filter. You can seek out information through the Internet, by searching your local yellow pages, or even by word of mouth to help you make the best decision.
It is important that you practice regular maintenance of your furnace and air conditioner to ensure against unexpected breakdowns. Besides cleaning, you need to make sure to replace your furnace's air filter every now and then so that you don't have an unnecessary buildup of dust and dirt in and around the fan motor. While the charge for a filter replacement is variable, it's relatively small compared to that of a furnace repair bill. So, just avoid it by keeping your furnace filter changed out.
When considering the type of furnace filters that you will be using, the choices are varied, but some come more highly recommended than others. A pleated furnace filter can provide you with a number of benefits that you won't get with other filters, one of the most favorable being the longer life of the filter.
Pleated furnace filters, as the name suggests, are made from material that is folded into pleats. You can find pleated furnace filters in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1 up to 6 inches deep. Generally speaking, you will find that the most common filter sizes are 1 to 2 inches in depth.
Pleated furnace filters have a larger surface area than normal furnace filters, and this is the exact thing that helps to extend the life of these filters. You will still want to monitor the filter just like you would any other, and check often for any possible blockage, but you likely won't need to change them out as often. However, you should change out your pleated furnace filters as often as is recommended by the manufacturer for the best results.
If your budget can manage it, you can opt for an electrostatic pleated air filter. This is one of the more higher-end furnace filters, and it's more efficient for the purpose of removing dust and other allergens from the air. If your family is one that commonly suffers from allergies, or you simply want to breathe cleaner air, then this would be a good choice of furnace filter for you. If you're not so worried about the collection of household dust, then you can get a cheaper pleated furnace filter, and it will suit you just as well.