It's no secret that the air filter in your home plays a crucial role in keeping your air conditioning system running smoothly. As the filter increasingly traps natural particulate pollution in your home, such as dust, mold and fungal spores, pet dander, fabric fibers, and more, it's important to change it regularly. If you don't, air can't pass as easily and this can have a major impact on the performance and efficiency of your air conditioning system. When the air filter is clogged with dirt, dust, and grime, the boiler and air conditioner have to work twice as hard to move air around your home.
This will not only increase your energy bills and carbon footprint, but it will also drain your budget. Timely replacement of your household air filter can help lower your utility bill. The operation of your HVAC system is affected by the way it is maintained. When filters are replaced every 90 days or sooner, depending on the use of the unit, a chain reaction occurs.
ENERGY STAR air conditioning experts recommend changing your air filter at least every three months. Dirt and debris from the filter can obstruct airflow, increasing the workload of the cooling system. By replacing the filter regularly, you can reduce wear and tear on your air conditioner while allowing free air circulation to improve indoor comfort. Air filters are needed to protect your system from dirt and dust particles that would accumulate on engines, fans, and other moving parts. This helps keep equipment clean and extends the life of your system.
When filters become clogged with dirt, they block free air flow over the heat exchanger. Over time, this can lead to overheating and equipment failure. While standard air filters help keep dust down when you change them regularly, they're not designed to filter things like pet dander, bacteria, or smoke. The problem with these filters is that they are only capable of filtering larger dust particles and are therefore useless when it comes to truly improving air quality. The ideal is to change your air filter every three months; however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to change an old filter. The right AC filter can remove contaminants, particles and dust to ensure indoor air quality.
If your dirty air filter is completely covered with dust and dirt, it's a good idea to change the filter even if it hasn't reached the end of its recommended life. While these factors affect the frequency of air filter replacement, you should visually inspect the filter every month for excessive particulate buildup.
