Filters: The First Line of Defense for Your AC and Heating

There are many different parts and components of your air conditioning and heating system. Of all of the different parts, one of the most important components are the smallest. The filters you use and your maintenance of them are extremely important to the life and function of your air conditioning and heating system.

Your home heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (or HVAC) system specifies ventilation in its name for a very specific reason. This is because the ventilation plays a prime role in how efficiently the air in your home can be heated and cooled to keep you and your family comfortable. Without the ventilation, your heating and cooling unit would be unable to disperse comfortably temperate air throughout the entire house.

When the air is being sent through the ventilation system, it needs to be filtered. This is to keep both you and your family, as well as the unit itself, safe. Dirt, dust, hair, and particulates in the air can damage the system and be unhealthy for the people that are breathing the air. This makes the filters one of the most important parts of your HVAC system.

Proper Maintenance of Filters

Taking care of your HVAC system has many different steps and parts to the process. None of them, however, need to be inspected and maintained as often as taking care of your filters.

Your filters need to be changed multiple times per year. The rate at which you change your filters depends a lot on different factors. Some of these factors are:

What type of filters you use.

Whether or not you have pets.

If anyone in the home has bad allergies.

How many people live in your home.

The air quality inside the home and your preferences.

The air quality outside of the home- do you live near a construction site, is there a factory nearby, or is there otherwise a lot of air pollution?

Depending on these factors, as well as your own preferences, your air filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months. If you still aren’t sure how often to change your air filters, open the vent and look at your filters. If it is dirty, change it.

Reasons to Change Your Filters

In every HVAC system, there are one or more areas in the home by which the air is received into the system. These areas are covered by a large vent, and behind that vent is a filter. If that filter is dirty, it can make it difficult for your HVAC system to circulate the air, making it work harder than it needs to. This can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your system, and severely shorten its functional lifespan.

Changing your filters regularly and keeping the system clean helps the HVAC system work more efficiently which saves you money on your energy bill.

When the filters are clean, the air that gets pumped throughout your home is healthier and cleaner, making your air quality and breathing much better.