It’s a bright, sunny morning, and you don’t have a care in the world. The birds are chirping, the coffee is hot, and the forecast calls for blue skies all day.

Then, in a fit of panic, you suddenly remember that it’s been a while since you changed your furnace filter. How many times has this happened to you?

Probably never. Most people don’t give their furnace filters a second thought. But maintaining your furnace or air handler’s air filter is crucial to your indoor air quality. Improve every breath with these helpful tips.

Why filter at all?

Today’s homes are built better than ever. And while tighter tolerances and better seals are great for insulation, they also trap contaminants inside the home so they circulate over and over. That is, until they’re drawn into somebody’s lungs where they can trigger disease, allergies and other respiratory difficulties.

Basic isn’t always best

The type of filter you install will have a huge impact on indoor air quality. The least expensive air filters are usually made of a loose fiberglass mesh, are about an inch thick and cost about a dollar each. While they’ll protect your furnace from larger particles, they don’t do a lot towards protecting your lungs from tiny particles.

High efficiency can be highly effective

Inexpensive, one-inch fiberglass filters may not provide enough filtration to affect the quality of your air. Instead, consider a pleated, high-efficiency filter like the Carbon Clean 16 filter which has a MERV 16 rating to achieve the highest possible filtration efficiency. While a more expensive option, it will do a better job of capturing the contaminants that would otherwise circulate in your home.

Don’t forget to check

The frequency with which you change your air filter can depend on many factors, including the type of filter you’re using and the amount of contaminants (dust, dirt, cooking fumes, smoke) your home generates. Checking your filter at least once a month is always a safe bet. If it’s visibly dirty or dark, it’s time for a change. If you have a professionally installed air filtration system, have it maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Size your filter correctly

A filter that’s too small will let dirty air pass around it. A filter that’s too big will not fit properly in your system. Make sure you’re using the correct size for your furnace. You can verify size either by checking the size of the old filter you’re replacing, or by checking the owner’s manual of your furnace.

The cleaning power of a powered air cleaner

For the most effective whole-house air cleaning, consider investing in an electrostatic air cleaner or other powered solution. Many of them use an electrical charge to gather smaller particles that filtration cannot catch. And some, like the PureAir™ Air Purification System, use multiple technologies in unison to clean, deodorize and purify the air for a truly healthier, cleaner environment.

Fall Home Energy-Saving Tips

Fall energy-saving tips

Girl hanging laundry indoors to dry and save energy

Shorter nights, a new school year and the beginning of football season are an annual rite of passage into fall. They also signal cooler days ahead — and with that comes worry of increasing utility bills due to high heating costs to combat chilly winter temps.

Making small, budget-friendly improvements to lower energy costs around the house can add up to extra cash fast, making utility bills less of a shock to open. Follow these energy-saving tips around the house and the change will add up in no time:

In the laundry room

Wash clothes at a lower temperature, dry laundry outside during warmer months, and use drying racks and hangers as much as possible during cooler months. If you prefer to use the dryer, experiment with setting dry times lower to prevent over drying. Not only will this show an increase of savings on your utility bill, your clothes will be in better shape and won’t come out of the dryer piping hot.

In the kitchen

Refrigerators and freezers are often overlooked when it comes to saving energy. A few ways to increase efficiency:

Defrost your freezer on a regular basis.
Keep your refrigerator organized so you can leave the door open less: Every time the door is opened, the refrigerator must work harder to cool down again.
When storing left overs, be sure to let hot food cool before placing it inside the refrigerator or freezer.
When cooking on the stove, be sure to boil only as much water as you need: It will take longer to heat bigger pans of water, wasting more energy in the process.
Cooking larger portions of meals in bulk and freezing ahead will not only save energy, but save time in the future when you need to get dinner to the table fast.

In the bathroom

Take shorter showers and less baths. The less time water is heated, the less energy used. Plus, you can also feel great about conserving a valuable resource.

All around the house

Lights: Turn off lights when you leave a room. And for increased energy savings, install light dimmers. To save even more—up to 75% less electricity per bulb—switch out regular florescent bulbs for CFL or LED bulbs.
Electronic cords: Unplug all appliances and charging devices when not in use. Make use of power strips to switch off several items at once.
HVAC: Install a programmable thermostat, like Lennox’ new iComfort Wi-Fi thermostat, which allows homeowners to adjust their home’s temperature and control energy costs from anywhere in the world, using a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Changing air filters regularly (at least once every three months) will also help your system run more efficiently.
Windows and doors: Keep drafts at bay and heating bills low by checking for drafts. Fill any cracks with caulk. For added insulation during winter months, consider investing in window insulation film (plastic shrink film applied to the indoor frame with double-stick tape). Heavy fabric curtains, as well as door and window snakes, can also provide protection against drafts.