If you're about ready to replace your old, outdated furnace with a new one, you may wonder whether you should choose one with a washable furnace filter or one with a traditional disposable filter. There are pros and cons with both options, but here are three reasons you may want to select a furnace that has a washable, reusable filter in it.

It's environmentally-friendly

Whenever you have the choice of using something that is reusable or disposable, the environmentally-friendly option would be to choose the item that is reusable. This is because reusable items are washed and used over and over. While eventually they are thrown away, this does not happen very often.

When a reusable filter gets dirty, you can simply remove the device from the furnace, clean it, dry it, and place it back inside the furnace. There will be nothing to dispose of. The alternative is having a furnace with disposable filters, which are thrown in the trash each time they are replaced.

They are just as efficient

Any furnace filter you purchase will have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating. These ratings range from 1 to 20, with 20 being the most efficient. There are several different types of washable filters, but permanent electrostatic ones are very common. They have a MERV rating of 8, which is higher than many disposable filters.

High ratings will ensure that your furnace filter will sift your air thoroughly, without decreasing the airflow needed to keep your system running efficiently.

They are cheaper in the long run

While a washable furnace filter is more expensive up front, it could help you save money in the long run. When you purchase a washable furnace filter, it can be washed and reused for approximately 5 to 10 years. They typically cost around $20 each, but this is relatively cheap compared to how much you may have to spend on disposable filters over a 5 to 10 year period.

Disposable filters range in price, but they typically only last for a few months. If you want your system to operate efficiently with disposable filters, you will need to change them whenever they get dirty.

There are numerous types of air filters to choose from when you get a new furnace, and you can talk to a heating contractor, like Enright and Sons, about all the options available. This will help you choose one that will help your system operate efficiently.