When you have a home, you need to focus on cleaning and maintenance every day to make it run smoothly. Home cleaning and maintenance involve multiple activities, and one of them is replacing the air filter.
If you have no knowledge about air filters, you must be wondering what they are, why they should be changed, and how often you should change them. Here, you will learn all these things. Let’s dive in.
What Is an Air Filter?
An air filter is the front line of defense for HVAC systems to prevent dust, debris, and allergens from entering your system. The HVAC system works by drawing air into your home, cooling and heating it, and then returning it to the same location. Because the air that gets cooled or heated needs to be the cleanest because of that, your air filter should always be clean.
8 Reasons to Change the Air Filter in Your Home
Now you know what an air filter is, but why should you change it regularly? The air passing through the filter traps tiny particles of dust, dirt, and debris. Such small particles gradually increase to such large numbers that it gets tough for the air to pass through them. Once your air filter gets clogged, it can cause a wide variety of problems.
Below are the key reasons to replace the air filter in your home:
1. Extend the Longevity of Your HVAC System
When your air filter doesn’t let air smoothly pass through it, the motor of the AC or heating system needs to work harder to accommodate the decreased amount of air. The level of motor performance has a direct impact on the lifespan of your air conditioner or heater. The average lifespan of an AC or heater is usually 16 to 20 years. However, poor maintenance like not changing the air filter on time can decrease the lifespan by years. So, if you replace the air filter regularly, it extends the lifespan of your AC or heater.
2. Save Utility Bills
Air conditioning and heating comprise a significant percentage of your yearly electricity bills. The percentage depends mostly on your location. When your motor works harder to compensate for less air, it consumes more electricity and raises your utility bills. It saves energy if you change the air filter frequently.
3. Take Advantage of Cold Air
As your AC functions, the air flows over the condenser coils to get cooled. Once your air filter can’t catch dirt and debris, they build up in the system’s interior parts, like condenser coils. Ice builds up on the coils after your AC runs for some time, which prevents the pushing out of cold air. Frequent replacement of air filters emits cold air that makes you feel comfortable during the summer.
4. Reduce Dust and Allergens in Air
An air filter that can’t trap the allergens, debris, and dirt may get pushed back inside your home. Your HVAC starts to circulate such elements across your home. The increasing dust and allergens in the air can be hazardous for your kids, elderly members, and anyone suffering from asthma or other breathing complications. If you want the interior air to be free of dust and allergens, replace the air filter regularly.
1. Improve Air Quality
The HVAC system emits carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases. When your AC or heater functions harder, it emits more of these toxic gases, which increases your home’s carbon footprint. Replace air filters regularly to improve air quality.
2. Save Repairing Costs
The simplest and most affordable thing you can do for HVAC maintenance is replace the air filter. It takes less than 5 minutes and costs a nominal amount. When you change the air filter, the interior of the HVAC unit stays clean. If dust and debris build up inside the unit, you may have to make expensive repairs. Air filter replacement saves repair costs.
3. Maintain a Comfortable Temperature
The HVAC unit won’t maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home if the blower won’t push enough heated or cooled air. When you clean your filter, it maintains a pleasant temperature across your home. You will never feel too hot or too cold inside your home.
4. Avoid Moisture Buildup
Moisture can accumulate on a clogged air filter as it gives space for that. Such moisture can form mold and mildew, which can pollute the interior air further. Excessive mold inside your home can be a health hazard, mainly for kids, elderly people, and asthma patients.
You can easily replace an air filter as and when required by investing an affordable amount. Make sure you go through your HVAC system’s manual to find the air filter location before replacing it.
How Frequently Should You Change the Air Filter in Your Home?
You should know how often to change the air filters in your home now that you know why. Changing at least four times a year can work well. Make sure you replace your air filter at least every 3 months. But changing your HVAC system more often can be more beneficial. Before replacing the air filter, consider the factors, such as children, pets (especially long-haired cats), smokers, elderly members, and people with asthma and other breathing issues.
If your home has any of the factors above, you should replace your air filter more often. Try to change the filter at least once a month as it’s easy and affordable to do. Fix a date every month, like the first day of the month, to change the air filter. You can change the air filter every time you pay the energy bill. As you change the air filter at regular intervals, the AC and heater perform better.
Hopefully, this post helps you to learn the main reasons for replacing the air filter regularly. Anderson Heating & Air can help you maintain your HVAC system with air filter replacements. Our technicians can help remove it if your system gets moldy due to a clogged air filter. Contact us today if you have any more questions about your air filter.
