[0:05] A furnace heats your home by pushing [0:07] warm air through vents located on your [0:09] walls or floors. Every furnace has a [0:12] filter that catches dust and dirt before [0:14] it enters the actual furnace. Replacing [0:17] your furnace filter is a fast and easy [0:19] way to keep your furnace in good working [0:22] condition and improve air quality in [0:24] your home. Today, we'll show you how to [0:26] replace your furnace filter and how to [0:28] choose the correct filter for your [0:29] furnace. [0:31] First, turn off your furnace. You can [0:33] turn off the heat using the thermostat [0:35] or turn off the furnace switch. Wait at [0:38] least 15 minutes for the furnace to cool [0:40] down. This is to stay safe while [0:42] changing your filter. Next, find your [0:45] old furnace filter. Look for the filter [0:47] near the bottom or side of your furnace. [0:50] It might be behind a small door or [0:52] panel. Remove the old filter. Slide the [0:55] old filter out carefully and look at the [0:57] direction of the arrows on the side of [0:59] the filter. These show which way the air [1:01] flows. [1:10] Before putting your new filter in, write [1:13] the date on it so you can check when you [1:14] changed it last. Make sure the arrows on [1:17] the side of the filter point in the [1:19] direction of the airflow. You can also [1:22] draw an arrow near where the filter goes [1:24] to remind you which way to insert the [1:26] filter. Now you can put in the new [1:28] filter. Slide the new filter in the same [1:31] way the old one came out. Finally, turn [1:34] the furnace back on. You can turn the [1:36] furnace switch back on or adjust the [1:38] thermostat to start it again. [1:40] Replace your furnace filter every 3 [1:42] months, including summer months, if you [1:44] have central air conditioning. You can [1:46] replace it more often if you see lots of [1:49] dust buildup or discoloration on the [1:50] filter. There are two things to pay [1:53] attention to when buying a new furnace [1:55] filter. Size and MERV [1:59] or MV rating. MV stands for minimum [2:03] efficiency reporting value. A filter [2:06] rating that tells us how well a filter [2:08] traps small particles. When getting a [2:11] new filter, you'll need to make sure you [2:13] get the same size as your last filter. [2:15] To see what size and MV rating your [2:18] filter is, look at the edge of your [2:20] current filter. The furnace filter you [2:22] purchase should be at least MV 8 and up [2:25] to MV 11. If you have asthma, allergies, [2:29] or other respiratory concerns, a MV 11 [2:32] filter is recommended. By replacing your [2:34] furnace filter, you can keep your [2:36] furnace working well for years to come.