One of the easiest ways to lower your heating bill in Cincinnnati is to change the furnace filter on a regular basis. The filter traps airborne particulates and, over time, dust collects on and inside it, slowing the airflow through your blower. Less air going through the furnace slows the heating process, drives your energy bills up and contributes to premature wear and tear on the furnace.

Besides lowering your heating bills, keeping the air filter clean gives you these benefits:

• Lengthens the life of your furnace - The reduced airflow keeps the parts inside your furnace hot longer, which shortens their life. The part in the furnace that holds the heat the burner creates is called the heat exchanger. When less air flows over it, it retains heat longer. The heat exchanger is made from metal and when metal stays warm longer, fatigue sets in faster. 
  
  Eventually, the heat exchanger can crack. These cracks can emit carbon monoxide into your home. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is illegal to operate and an HVAC professional has to disable it until it's repaired or replaced. It's an expensive repair that can be avoided when you change the furnace filter routinely. 
  
  The motor inside the blower also gets hotter, which shortens its life. Without that motor, the fan won't run and you'll have no heat until it's replaced. 
• Less airborne dust - The filter traps dust, pollen, pet dander and possibly mold spores, depending on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of the filter. Higher rated filters trap smaller particles and improve the indoor air quality, especially if you have a cat or a dog. Running your system with a dirty filter will deposit particulates inside the blower, throughout the ductwork and your home. People, especially those with respiratory issues, who keep their air filters clean lower their discomfort. 

If you'd like to know more about when to change the furnace filter and why it's so important, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling. We've provided HVAC services for Butler County and Greater Cincinnati for more than 50 years. 

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