Keeping your furnace clean is important in order to have it run properly in winter (or year-round if you have whole-house air conditioning). A clean furnace will burn less fuel — thus saving you money ...

A furnace filter should be changed about once every three months. A furnace filter should be changed more often in the event of pollen, construction dust, cold spells, or other amplifying factors.

Even in the warmer months of the year, you should regularly monitor your furnace filter’s condition — and replace it as needed — to keep your family safe and your furnace in good working condition.

Forced hot air heaters have filters that need regular cleaning from dust, dander and pet hair. Reggie rubs his head on a filter as his owner vacuums it. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN Winters in ...