The True Purpose of Oven Filters and Why You Should Change Them

An oven filter has a critical job to perform and a filter cannot work without one. For an oven to work properly, it must always be equipped with a clean and functional filter. The main purpose of an oven filter is to protect the blower fan from all the dust, hair and other dirt that the return duct carries. While it will also help indoor air quality (by eliminating the recirculation of pollutants), its primary job is not to actually clean the air as many people think. Yes, you can use any furnace filter, but it will absolutely damage your oven in the process.

Without an air filter, more dust and debris will reach the main components of your heating system, causing damage to the coils, fan motor, and more. Plus, without an air cleaner, your oven won't operate efficiently, resulting in higher energy bills. Running the oven without a filter can significantly reduce airflow over time. The primary function of an oven filter is to trap airborne contaminants, not for air quality reasons, but to keep them out of the heating and cooling system.

If your household members suffer from allergies or asthma, oven filters should be changed more frequently. When oven filters are forgotten or omitted to change, several problems arise in Cincinnati homes. Fortunately, these filters are easy to change, making it a quick and painless household maintenance task that dramatically improves oven airflow. Changing oven filters regularly has a big impact on home comfort and indoor air quality, as well as the performance, energy efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system. Thomas's NATE certified heating and cooling professionals & Galbraith share why oven filters need to be changed.

Learn the true purpose of this system component, how often oven filters need to be changed, and the problems that arise when you skip this task. If you have air quality problems present in your home, your oven filter won't last as long as it would in a home with good indoor air quality. Filters are important parts of the oven and air conditioner, helping to keep the rest of the system clean. How often this task must be performed depends largely on the type of oven filter in place. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) measures the effectiveness of an oven air filter in capturing particulate matter. Dirty oven filters are a disaster for heating and cooling equipment, home comfort, and indoor air quality.

An oven filter not only purifies the air but also keeps the internal mechanisms of your HVAC system working properly. If it's time to change the filter, most large retail and home improvement stores will carry oven filters. In addition to all the problems you can cause with your HVAC, not running your oven with a filter can also increase allergies and household dust.