do you need a whole-house dehumidifier?do you need a whole-house dehumidifier?

Now that winter has arrived and you are using your home's furnace every day, it is vitally important that you change its filter once each month. If you have any furry pets living in your home, then you should check the furnace filter each week and replace it when you can see a thin film of pet hair covering its outside surface. 

When you arrive at the hardware store, you will be greeted with a large variety of replacement furnace filters to choose from. Each different type of filter has its own advantages and price point. The most common furnace filter types are:

• washable

• HEPA

• flat-panel

Here is some information about each type of filter to help you choose the right one for your home's furnace:

Washable Furnace Filters

As the name implies, washable furnace filters are a special type of filter that can be washed out and reused over and over again in your HVAC system. Washable furnace filters are only used on specific brands of heaters and your owner's manual will tell you if your system's filter is able to be rinsed and reused. Washable furnace filters are the most expensive option for replacement.

Note: It is important to note, that only washable furnace filters should ever be cleaned and reused. HEPA, fiberglass, and polyester filters are designed to be used and then disposed of. If you attempt to wash and reuse your filter, it will not catch the same amount of dust and hair the second time around because you will have washed off its special oil coating used to attract and trap hair and dust.

HEPA Furnace Filters

HEPA furnace filters are a specially designed filter that meets the HEPA guidelines for air particulate filtration. The acronym HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate arrestance and refers to the superior way that this type of filter is able to remove dust, dirt, and pet hair from your HVAC system's air intake.

HEPA filters are a medium cost between the washable and disposable options listed below. However, while HEPA filters are more costly than their other disposable cousins, they are much more effective for removing small particles and helping with allergies and dust buildup on your furniture.

Flat-Panel Fiberglass Furnace Filters

Flat-panel fiberglass filters are made from thin fiberglass fibers that have been treated with an oil to attract particulates and hair. The fiberglass fibers are held together with a mesh screen that covers both sides of the filter.

Finally, this type of filter is generally the least expensive and needs to be changed the most frequently. Contact local professionals, such as those from Chappel's Heating & Cooling.