Each time the season changes, you should replace the air filter in your furnace. Air filter replacement is an important part of the regular maintenance required to keep your heating and cooling system operating at maximum efficiency. Changing the filter will also preserve the life of your furnace and save you money on your energy bills.

Changing the air filters in your heating and cooling system is a must for good indoor air quality and maintaining comfort in your home. Dirty filters can not only degrade the quality of the air, but they can reduce the function of otherwise well-operating heating and cooling units. This is why it is so important to have maintenance done on your HVAC system on a regular schedule.

A common perception about changing furnace filters is that once every three months is enough. Depending on the amount of activity in the home and the type of furnace filter, that may not be sufficient. The coldest winter months may be a time to change air filters once a month.

Optimizing your indoor air quality can benefit your health. Studies have shown that indoor air pollution contributes to respiratory conditions, including allergies.

Some key ways to improve the air quality in your home:

Most heating and air conditioning filters have instructions from the manufacturer to change them every three months. A great reminder of the time to change yours is the changing of the seasons. A good practice is to check the filter every month, just to make sure. A heavy pollen season, dry, dusty conditions and periods with unusually high humidity can often cause air filters to clog up faster than normal. So, do a quick check every month and, if all looks okay, change with the next season.

There are many things you can do right in your own home to considerably improve your indoor air quality. Here are 10 relatively simple and cost-effective strategies to get the best air quality possible:

Are you looking for the best air filter for your home? It may seem that choosing the highest efficiency option would be best, but that may actually restrict airflow too much. At the same time, choosing air filters with an efficiency that is too low may fail to capture airborne allergens very effectively. What you need is to find the ideal middle ground for your furnace and your family.

The bitterly cold Massachusetts winters and stifling summers keep home comfort systems humming nonstop all year long. If you're not replacing the HVAC air filter when it's dirty, you could be causing the premature failure of your heating and cooling equipment. Clogged air filters restrict airflow and cause the system to overheat and shut down. They also allow dust to build up on interior components. Even a very thin coating of dust will reduce system efficiency. And don't forget, the air filter is your first defense against poor indoor air quality, removing harmful pollutants and allergens from your air.