Life is full of instances where, among myriad solutions, the right one is the simplest and easiest to ignore.

Take, for example, when you’re working at your computer and suddenly it’s taking forever to open a new window. You try 20 different solutions when all of a sudden it dawns on you: “Why not just reboot?” You try it, and everything’s back to normal.

The same thing applies to your furnace, as in, there are so many problems that can be solved or, better yet, prevented by taking the simplest step of all: cleaning or replacing the filter.

Read on and learn – we promise you’ll be glad you did:

• Clean or replace your filter regularly – Rule of thumb, your filter should be cleaned or replaced every 3 months. If you have smokers in your house, you should at least check it more often. If, on the other hand, you have a whole-house air filtration system, you can probably get away with cleaning or replacing it less often.

• When should I replace vs. clean my filter? If you can’t see light through your filter, you should replace it. Also, if you have the inexpensive cardboard type of filter, you should replace it every time, or replace it with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) that is manufactured to last and be cleaned regularly.

• How exactly should I check my filter? Before checking your filter, make sure the furnace is turned off. Next, locate the service panel which you’ll typically find on the lower front or side. After gently popping off or sliding up the panel door, look for the filter. After removing it, common sense will dictate if cleaning it is enough or if it should be replaced. In any case, do not restart your furnace until you have re-inserted the fully cleaned old or replacement filter.

• How do I choose one MERV filter over another? The higher the number on a scale from 1 to 12, the better capable it is of filtering out dirt, dust, and other airborne pollutants. Each of these is capable of limiting the efficiency of your furnace AND contributing to unhealthy indoor air quality.

• Can a clogged filter start a fire? Absolutely, and here’s how. The dirtier the filter, the harder your furnace has to work to push warm air through. Over time, furnace parts can overheat and eventually lead to a fire.

• What else can I do to prevent a furnace-related fire? To perform as efficiently and safely as possible, your furnace should have plenty of clearance around it between walls and the ceiling. And since internal combustion is taking place to convert oil or gas into warm air, you also should keep paper and any other flammable objects as far away from it as possible.

As complex as it might be, your car is useless without an ignition key. Such a simple device, wouldn’t you agree? When you think about your furnace, it’s equally important to think small first. As in, take good care of that little, inexpensive filter, and your furnace will take much better care of you.

At the same time, let’s say you’ve taken meticulous care of your filter and yet you still have a problem with your furnace. In that case, the solution is just as simple as filter maintenance: pick up the phone now and contact Absolute Air. We are your home heating specialists offering precision furnace troubleshooting and high quality repairs. Plus, with Absolute Air, you’ll receive a guaranteed upfront repair price along with our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. For home heating at its best, contact Absolute Air today.