Save on heating/cooling costs by maintaining your air filter. A heating system repairman told me to use the cheapest, blue filter, and to change it at least monthly or when soiled. He told me this would let the air conditioning motor work much more easily, saving electricity and extending the life of the air conditioner.
If you have a 14x20 inch opening, you can buy a 30x20 inch filter and make 2 from them. Get the wire-supported corrugated white filter. Cut the supporting cardboard at 15 inches. Cut the filter to size, and fold the cardboard supports back 1 inch to support the filter. Make sure the edge meets the opening. Now you have 2 filters.
By Nance from Statesboro, GA
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PLEASE, consider WHO told you to use the cheapest filters. It's NOT a good idea to cut corners in that area because it allows too much dirt and dust into your system,as well as your home, thereby shortening the furnace's life and giving the furnace company more repeat business.
More dust/dirt into the atmosphere of your home is unhealthy, and it WILL take it's toll on your health sooner than you think. Cut corners some other way, unless you have no other choice, because you WILL make up the difference between the cheapies and the better FILTRETE filter, as an example, cost by SAVING RX, over the counter MEDS, and trips to the doctor because while your body was having to work overtime to fight the pollution you've forced it to breathe, it's immune system is compromised and weakened so that you are more easily able to get ill. Don't go whole hog and buy the VERY expensive filters, but don't settle for those blue thin useless ones either, regardless of who claims they're "just fine". Although they do filter SOME particles/ dust/ pet hair, etc. over time, the mid-range accordian pleated white filters are about ten times more effieient at filtering harmful bacteria and viruses from the air. You should reconsider and bite the bullet for a wiser choice that should cost around $5.99 for most sizes.
Good luck and God bless you,
Lynda
Richardson, TX
Get in the habit of changing the filter when you pay the house note (or utility bill).. after two or three times, it's 'automatic' :)
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Each month when you change your furnace filter, spray it with a furniture polish first before installing. This will help trap more dust in the filter due to the oil base of the spray furniture polish. I use a cheap can of spray from the dollar store.
Source: My heating and cooling service man
By Judy from Kentwood, MI
Editor's Note: Make sure to read the label of anything you spray on an air filter to ensure it's safe to breath and non toxic.
Buy reusuable furnace filters. These you can put in your shower/bathtub and rinse the the lint and dirt off or take out to your yard and use the garden hose to rinse the dirt off. Allow to drain and dry before spraying with Lysol and reinstalling. (The Lysol is to kill any germs or in the air). We've had ours for about 10 years and they're still good.
