January is in the middle of the winter months for the US. Cold weather forces many of us to spend more time indoors, as our furnaces work overtime to keep our homes warm. Our use of the heating system in winter increases energy bills and negatively impacts indoor air quality.
January is a natural reset for most people, which is why many will set goals they want to accomplish throughout the year. Many people forget to include improving air quality and lowering energy bills in their New Year’s resolutions. However, prioritizing these can actually help you achieve your health and money-saving resolutions.
- January’s cold weather increases furnace use, making it the best time to replace air filters for improved air quality.
- Winter filters capture more dust, allergens, and odors due to holiday activities and closed homes.
- Replacing filters regularly lowers energy bills, prevents furnace strain, and reduces allergy and respiratory issues.
- Check filters monthly in winter and replace immediately if dirty to maintain efficient heating and healthier air.
Why winter is the hardest season on your air filter
When it’s cold outside, our heating system must run longer and more frequently to maintain the temperature we’ve set on our thermostat. Additionally, to prevent our homes from losing heat, we keep our windows and doors shut and sealed.
January falls directly after the holidays. A time that is usually accompanied by setting out dusty decorations, inviting family and friends over for dinners and parties, and cooking up a storm. This stirs up a significant amount of dust, germs, oils, and allergens, which negatively impact your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Think about it – your furnace will be working overtime, pumping warmed air into your home, and there’s more dust and debris than usual in the air. Your HVAC filter will capture more contaminants than usual, protecting the critical components of your furnace. However, out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy to forget to replace your filter on a regular basis.
5 signs you need to replace your air filter after the holidays
1.) Double the dust on surfaces and around air vents
If you feel like you’re having to dust more often or notice a lot of dust around registers and air vents, this could mean that your furnace filter isn’t capturing particles effectively.
During the winter, your heating system operates more frequently and recirculates air continuously. After the holidays, filters are often overloaded because of increased foot traffic, decorations, pets, and packaging materials. Dirty filters allow dust to bypass the filter and settle more quickly around surfaces in your home.
More dust is an early indicator that you need to replace your filter.
2.) Stale or musty smells when the heat is running
A lingering “stale” or “musty” odor after your heat cuts on can be a sign that your filter is overloaded with odors and particles.
Frequent cooking, burning of candles, fireplace use, and keeping your windows closed can contribute to odor buildup. Once a filter is at capacity, it can no longer absorb or trap particles. This will cause smells to circulate throughout your home each time the heat runs.
Odd odors are usually a sign that your filter is full and your airflow is being compromised.
3.) Aggravated allergies or respiratory issues
Are you or people in your home sneezing more? Experiencing a lot of congestion, waking up with a dry throat, or having more sinus issues? Your air filter could be to blame.
In the winter, we tend to keep our windows shut to retain the warm air. However, this means that your indoor air is being recirculated repeatedly. If your filter is clogged, it will cause dust, pet dander, and even pollen to remain in the air longer, which can trigger allergy-like symptoms.
Proper filtration helps reduce airborne irritants during peak indoor living months.
4.) Heat runs longer or louder
A clogged filter will restrict airflow. This will cause your HVAC system to work harder to pull air through the filter and will force it to run for longer. You may also notice that it’s noisier than usual.
After the holidays, filters will become dirtier more quickly due to increased heating use and indoor activity.
Restricted airflow reduces efficiency and increases heating costs.
5.) Your air filter looks dark or clogged
A visual inspection is the easiest way to determine if a replacement is needed. If your filter looks dark, gray, or you can see dust and debris, such as pet hair or dirt, it is likely that airflow is being restricted.
Wintertime accelerates filter buildup, making January an ideal time to inspect your filter.
Even if you change your filter on a schedule and it’s not time yet, a visibly dirty filter should be replaced immediately.
Can’t remember the last time you changed your furnace filter? It’s probably time.
When should you change your air filter in winter?
Experts recommend replacing air filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter. However, it is ideal to increase that frequency during the winter.
When deciding how often to change your filter, here are a few questions you should consider:
- How many pets do you have?
- Do you or anyone living with you have allergies or asthma?
- What MERV rating is your filter?
- Do you live in an apartment or a single-family home?
How often you change your filter is ultimately up to you, but it’s essential to consider the factors that can impact your indoor air quality.
What happens if you don’t replace your air filter in the winter?
Failing to replace your air filter during the winter can have a greater impact than you think.
One of the biggest and obvious signs is a change in your indoor air quality. More sneezing, a feeling of stuffiness in your home, or general discomfort are signs of poor indoor air quality.
Another indicator is if you notice that your energy use and heating costs continue to increase. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder and longer to heat your home. This uses more energy and can raise your energy bill.
A little-known fact about air filters is that they help keep your HVAC clean. Dust and other particles in your home’s air can settle on critical components of your system, shortening its lifespan. Central air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps can last up to 20 years. However, if you don’t prioritize filter changes or seasonal maintenance services, it may last 10 years or less.
Increased strain on your system will lead to costly furnace repair and even failure. Don’t let something as simple as changing your filter cost you more money, preventable illness, and frustration.
Winter air quality issues that filters can help with
Dust is something we all have to deal with if we live indoors. If you’re tired of having to dust all the time, regularly replacing your HVAC filter helps prevent dust from settling on surfaces.
If you live with pets, pet dander is an unavoidable issue you will face. Pet dander is microscopic flakes of skin that can trigger allergies. These tiny particles float through the air and settle on surfaces. Frequent filter changes can help prevent pesky pet dander from staying in the air.
Most people associate pollen with springtime, but fall also produces its own set of pollens, making it a winter-time problem as well. Residual pollen can stick around for much longer than you think. Fresh filters can help eliminate traces of pollen and keep your air feeling clean.
Cooking is a bit contributor to poor indoor air quality. Odors, oils, and fumes can worsen your indoor air quality. Proper ventilation and regular filter changes are essential to ensuring that your cooking doesn’t linger longer than necessary.
The holiday season can significantly impact your indoor air quality. The things that make Christmas feel cozy can significantly change your home environment. Like lighting your favorite Christmas candle or decorating a fragrant fir tree with old ornaments you’ve had for years. These actions can significantly impact your indoor air quality, particularly when combined with dry winter air.
Speaking of dry air, winter is the worst offender. Cold air retains little humidity, and cranking up the heat in your home will pull even more moisture from the air.
Dryer air will make your home’s air feel uncomfortable. You may also experience dry skin, lips, and even nosebleeds. Adding a humidifier to frequently used rooms can make a huge difference.
Proper filtration and adequate humidity are crucial to maintaining a comfortable home environment.
Choosing the right air filter for winter
Choosing the right air filter involves more than selecting the correct size. Selecting the right MERV rating matters just as much. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is the standard for measuring a filter’s effectiveness to capture particles.
For the average household, a MERV 8 or MERV 11 filter provides an adequate balance of filtration and airflow. The higher the MERV rating, the less airflow will be able to pass through easily.
Consider the contaminants that may be present in your air in the winter. What are you most concerned about? Then go from there.
If you’re unsure of what MERV rating you need, check your owner’s manual for compatibility or ask a professional.
Pro tip: Before winter comes, hire an HVAC company to do a furnace tune-up. This will help your system handle winter demands.
Your winter air filter replacement checklist
You’ve already got a lot to manage, so why not make changing your air filter as easy as it should be? Here’s a simple winter air filter checklist to make this essential maintenance a breeze:
- Check your filter monthly during the winter.
- As soon as your filter looks dirty, change it.
- Mark replacement dates on the filter or set a reminder on your phone.
- Bulk buy filters. It will make the per filter cost cheaper, and you’ll always have filters on hand.
- Pair filter maintenance with humidifier maintenance.
Commit to cleaner air this New Year
January is the ideal time to make a fresh start. Your future self with thank you for making cleaner air a priority this year.
An investment in your home’s air is an investment in your health. Better air quality can enhance your quality of life by lessening the risk of illness and allergy triggers.
This simple home maintenance task will make your home feel more comfortable. This is especially true when you spend more time inside. Plus, it will keep your heat running smoothly and reduce your energy bill costs.
Need help? Our Customer Care Team is here for you! Contact Filters Fast Support at 866-438-3458 or [email protected]
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