The air conditioner filter is an essential part of your HVAC system, and it's important to keep it clean and replace it regularly. Not only does this improve the air quality inside your home, but it also protects your HVAC system from potential damage. 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 the air conditioner while allowing free air circulation to improve indoor comfort.
Clogged air filters can cause overheating, restricted airflow, and fouling the entire HVAC system. This translates into more frequent repairs, parts and services. Airflow is one of the most important factors affecting the efficiency of your system. When the filter becomes dirty, it reduces airflow to the oven, forcing the air conditioning system to work harder to heat or cool the room. This will wear down your system and increase energy costs.
Air filters live up to their name. Not only do they keep dust and pollen out, but they are also tasked with keeping larger particles out of your HVAC system and preventing them from being damaged. A clear sign that the AC filter needs to be replaced is when the back of the unit is too hot. If the filter is heavily soiled, you may feel warm air coming out the back of the unit. A clogged filter forces the air conditioner to work harder to keep the house cool.
This will lead to more frequent air conditioning repairs and ultimately shorten the life of the unit. Reduce the load by simply changing the AC filter regularly. The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA, or high-energy particulate air filters. Air filters are generally inexpensive, and changing the air filter is a simple task that does not require a professional hand. If you've never changed your air conditioning filter, the easiest way is to have an HVAC technician do it the first time.
While you should refer to the instructions for your HVAC system and your specific filter for maintenance guidelines, you should generally change filters at least every season, if not once a month. If you neglected to change the AC filter for some time, it is very likely that a lot of dust will accumulate inside the ducts. Owners want to strive for a filter with a minimum MERV rating of 10 to ensure that more than 65% of particles are filtered out. Postponing replacing a dirty filter means that you will probably have to pay a lot more when your system eventually fails due to the dirty filter. Or, thanks to today's smart home technology, you can even purchase smart filters such as 3M Filtrete smart air filters that use sensors to monitor airflow. The problem with these filters is that they are only able to filter out larger dust particles and are therefore useless when it comes to truly improving air quality.
In addition, dirty filters can begin to cause more damage to the air in your home by allowing dirt to enter different parts of your air conditioning system and, over time, can reduce its efficiency. The air conditioner filter isn't the most complicated part of an air conditioning system, but it can dramatically affect your efficiency and the air quality in your home. AC filters are your home's first line of defense against any particles, debris, or contaminants that have entered your home.
