Regular HVAC maintenance is necessary if you want to keep your heating and cooling systems running smoothly. An easy, but important action that you can do yourself is to change your air filter as needed.
Replacing Air Filters
The most common frequency for changing HVAC filters is every three months. In reality, this should be the maximum time you go before putting in a replacement, and in many cases you should change it much sooner.
If a large amount of dust and debris gets trapped by the air filter in your home, you may have to change it monthly. Factors such as long-haired pets, living on a dusty road, many people living in the home, construction near your house and smoke can all lower the useful service life of a single filter, which makes it crucial to inspect your filter frequently.
While having to check on your filter monthly may seem like a hassle, it’s a simple task that involves pulling out the filter and having a quick look. If it’s dirty, in most systems you simply have to slide a new one in.
Why Dirty Filters Cause Big Problems
Even though it’s a small component, your air filter has a large effect on the performance of your HVAC system. If the filter is dirty, the air has a harder time finding a way through it, which ends up making your system work harder. This is bad for efficiency, and causes excessive wear and tear on your equipment, increasing the likelihood of malfunctions and breakdowns.
A second major issue is that when the filter is clogged, the air pressure behind it builds up and can blow particulates and debris around the edges of the filter. This means that more particles get into HVAC components and ductwork, and circulate in your indoor air. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a variety of respiratory ailments.
For any remaining questions about keeping the air filter clean in your Dayton area home, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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