We offer 24 hours emergency service for your peace of mind COVID-19 Update
 

How Often Should I Replace the Furnace Filter and Schedule Furnace Cleaning in My Winnipeg Home?

April 12, 2017
Furnace cleaning in Winnipeg Manitoba

A furnace, regardless of how often it is used, needs the filter changed on a regular basis. When you do not replace filters, you lose the protection of the filter; and, all the benefits that come with that protection.


Filters are relatively easy to replace and affordable to buy. With a simple preventative maintenance task performed throughout the year, you could prevent costly breakdowns or worse, the replacement of your existing unit.

Factors that Help Decide When to Change the Furnace Filter

Deciding how often depends on the living conditions of your home. While the manufacturer’s manual or the filter itself might have a recommended timeline, there are instances where you will change more frequently than the recommended minimum.

Some factors that influence how often you change your furnace filter include:

  • Use of Doors and Windows: Fresh air can invigorate your home, but also allow dust and dirt to blow inside. If you are the type to invite fresh air into your home daily, then your filter should be changed once a month. If you have a four-inch filter, you can go every two months, while a five-inch filter can last up to three months. 
  • Smoking Indoors: Smoke is absorbed by your furnace filter and quickly breaks it down. So, if you or family members smoke indoors regularly, your smaller filters must be changed monthly, while four and five-inch models can go two to three months. A household with even a single smoker can add an extra month to those filter change times.
  • Dust: Some homes, especially older ones, are dustier than others. If your home is a dust magnet, that dust affects your furnace’s performance when it is allowed to clog up the filter. For extra dusty residences, changing the filter monthly for smaller units and every two to three months for larger units is best. With moderate dust, you can also extend it by one to two months more.
  • Pets: Household pets influence how often you need to change a furnace filter too. Homes that have multiple pets will follow the same change frequency as a dusty or open home. 


When none of these factors apply to your residence, you can change smaller thickness filters once every three months, while four and five-inch filters can last 6 to 12 months. However, it is rare for a home not to have at least one of the above scenarios.

Regular Furnace Cleaning in Winnipeg Residences is Just as Important
While changing your filter is critical, so is having your system cleaned regularly. Sometimes, a dirty filter can allow dust and dirt to build-up inside your furnace, which may lead to higher utility costs and more repairs.

As established heating contractors in Winnipeg, we can come to your home once or twice a year to conduct a preventative maintenance appointment. This will include cleaning out the system, inspecting, and tuning for optimum performance.

If you have an older model furnace and you are tired of continually replacing the filter, East Side Ventilation offers furnace financing in Winnipeg that can help you install a new, more energy-efficient model with a higher filter capacity.

When it is time for your preventative maintenance or if you think your furnace requires a cleaning, make East Side Ventilation your first call. Call 204-667-8700 or contact us online.


Google Review Click Here for Commercial Services

Google Reviews

×

Jo-Ann Borger

google-review

Simple: ESV is Good, Excellent, Friendly and On time

Service: Duct Cleaning

Rick Negrich

google-review

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Had Chris come to our home and service our LifeBreath HRV. Took the time to explain its normal operations and what was the issue with it. Took the time to point out what was happening with it and what he had to do. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend him and Eastside. Awesome!!!

Service: Repair HVAC

Simon

google-review

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value One of the best HVAC companies in Winnipeg. Great, professional people. Everyone I spoke with was very polite and easy to deal with. Very knowledgeable of every aspect of what we needed. I would recommend Eastside Ventilation to anyone. They are top notch. Great first experience!! The Technician was knowledgeable & friendly. Took his time checking my system & explained things so that I could understand. Looking forward to being a long-time customer!

Services: Thermostat repair, Install thermostat, Repair HVAC, HVAC duct & vent repair, Ductless heating & A/C services, HVAC duct & vent cleaning, A/C system repair, HVAC duct & vent installation, Heating system repair, Heating system maintenance, Heating system installation, A/C system maintenance, Install AC, HVAC system maintenance

Dan Reimer

google-review

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value We just had our Furnace and Ducts cleaned and I just had to write up a review on Eastside Ventilation because it was amazing. From Dan D who accommodated a last min date change and set up the appointment to Scott and Paul who did everything right! A quick call 20 min before coming with a heads up. When they got here they introduced themselves right away to me and my wife and even our dogs liked them. They were Quick, Friendly professional, clean, covid friendly and bottom line good guys. Afterwards Scott gave me a recap of what they did what they found and even put in my new filter (one of those ugly accordion ones that take forever) then they both said it was nice to meet us and were gone... thanks guys and thanks Eastside.

Service: HVAC duct & vent cleaning

S G

google-review

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
This company did all the ductwork in our home when we built it 18 years go. They also installed our furnace and air conditioner. We hired them because the general contractor (Walter... can't remember his last name, sorry) who we hired to organize the building of our home said they have good pricing and do good work.
Anyway, Walter was right. And because of that, East Side Ventilation has been my go-to company any time I need anything done with my HVAC system for the past 18 years. The staff is professional, friendly, on time, and does excellent work. I highly recommend them. :) In case that loyalty makes it sound like I know them, I figure I ought to mention that I do NOT know the owners or staff on a personal level. It's just that I was really happy with their work when we built our home, and I see no reason to try anyone else and risk being unhappy with the workmanship. Some reviewers have mentioned that they couldn't get an exact quote ahead of time... I'm guessing that's because they bill based on how long it takes them to do the job, and they don't know that until they've done it. And I'm guessing they have enough business that they don't have to spend their time doing free in-home estimates anymore - and frankly, I don't blame them - I wouldn't do free in-home estimates either if I had enough business to avoid having to waste time on that. In any case, I've never worried about their pricing because like I said, they do good work and they're honest.

Jill Hart

google-review

Positive: Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
Chris came out to make it possible for our new dryer to be bottom ventilated. The existing hole was not in the right place. We were very impressed by his professionalism and attention to detail. He thought outside the box, anticipating issues the dryer installer might have and gave us extra ducting and a different elbow than the one we had. I had asked him to cut the duct flush with the bottom of the dryer, as that's what the installer said the night before, but Chris left it 1/4 inch higher as he didn't think the installer would be able to connect it easily otherwise. The installer came just as Chris was about to leave, and confirmed that it was a good thing that Chris left the extra margin of metal for him. Chris also said he added a brace to the ducting under the floor so that it was more solid than before. Our reno guy, who was also there doing work, took a look at it and said it looked really good. Chris was polite and prompt as well, and the man answering the phone, whom I talked to about 3 times, was always polite and helpful, giving me confidence. I would definitely recommend this company.

Tero Heikkinen

google-review

Needed emergency support for an air conditioner that stopped working on the weekend. The technician was able to come out the next day when most other places were closed all weekend. He was crazy knowledgeable and his initial thoughts on the problem was replacing a $35 part. Turned out he was right! I highly recommend them for AC repair and will look to try them out for furnace maintenance this fall.

S Adam

google-review

One of my daughter's and her husband just bought their first house. What better house warming gift than a duct cleaning... I know brilliant right!
I had the fine folks at East Side Ventilation clean my ducts many months ago and they did an honest great job. They were friendly and very professional. Their tech took the time to explain why the A/C was having a hard time cooling the second floor. This 100+ year old house was not built with A/C in mind. I asked my daughter how they were? She couldn't stop saying again how great they were. Definitely 5 star and 2 thumbs up!

Debbie Fedak

google-review

Called East Side. Came down the next day and fixed "immediately". Jason and I believe Manny, thank you so much. There is good service out there!!! Great work ethics, hard to find now days but we sure did. Merry Christmas to you all. Will rebook the cleaning and HRV balancing in January with you! Merry Christmas All. Brian & Debbie

Gerard and Daryl

google-review

Great service! Slight mixup in booking initially however when tech came he was quick, clearly knew what he was doing and fixed the issue. Would recommend them.

A Bright

google-review

Honest quick reliable, I questioned the amount billed and was a little upset that I had to pay for another call due to ordering of parts, however they worked with me, would definitely recommend.

Lyle Baraniuk

google-review

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Dave was super. Great service and I appreciate that they stand behind their work.

Services: Heating system installation, Repair HVAC

Darlene Poplawski

google-review

Went above and beyond, resolved our problem and took the time to explain. They were prompt, service was professional, would definitely recommend.

Melanie Neufeld

google-review

Quick, knowledgeable and friendly. I will be calling them for all my future needs

Patricia Shymko

google-review

They came punctually and did a good job

David Wallful

google-review

Very professional. Great service.

Madison

google-review

Fantastic service!

chris joss

google-review

Service: Heating system maintenance

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

Sandy Singh

google-review

Highly satisfied and excellent service

Service: Duct Cleaning and Equipment repair

Sunday Adeoti

google-review

Friendly, Excellent and Professional

Service: Winnipeg Duct Cleaning

H Morry

google-review

East Ventilation is friendly and on time service

Service: Equipment Replacement

Randy Clegg

google-review

Professional trades people. Well-co-ordinated, timely schedule. I was completely satisfied. Tradesman worked with other trades to ensure no conflicts of install components.

Nancy E

google-review

Sam was terrific. He explained everything as he did his work and I know he did a thorough job. Very personable. I have been using Eastside for furnace maintenance and repair for the last 4 years and I have always been very pleased with their work. I feel they are very honest and dependable.