By Carrie Privette, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 10:23 AM
Did you know that changing your heating and air conditioning system's filter is the most basic and cost- effective maintenance you can preform, and it provides many benefits for yourself and your unit?
Well, I honestly did not understand how important it was until I took a more active role in running our family business, Privette Heating & Air. I knew it was something I should do, but during the hustle and bustle of everyday living, filters were forgotten. Like the day you look up and the blanket of dust on the ceiling fan reminds you that you have overlooked dusting, you pull out the ac filter to find a quilt of dirt and debris because it was out of site and out of mind. No problem, you can pop a new one in and no damage is done, right? At least that is what I used to think.
Now I know that clogged filters cause low air flow. In turn, the unit has to work much harder to run properly. This leads to worn out parts, overheated motors, and tripped safety switches. Time and time again, customers need costly repairs that could have been avoided by replacing air filters. In fact, we have found that low air flow due to dirty filters is the #1 culprit for bad compressors resulting in a need to replace the entire system. Additionally, the dirt and debris that an overloaded filter is unable to trap will begin to collect on evaporator coils and other components. Ultimately, this will significantly diminish the heating and cooling capacity of your equipment and dramatically increasing your utility costs.
Your system's filtration system is not just in place to protect itself, but to provide health benefits for you as well. As the air passes through the filter material, small particles like mold spores and bacteria, to name a couple, are trapped; thus making the air cleaner.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports poor indoor air quality as being one of the top 5 health risks causing common diseases and symptoms like asthma, allergies, chronic coughs, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Diligent filter maintenance is a low cost, highly effective way to improve your family's respiratory health.
To summarize, clean air filters can:
extend the life of your heater and air conditioner
save money by reducing the need for costly repairs and lower your utility costs
improve the air quality in your home
We recommend that you change your filters at a minimum of every three months and ONCE A MONTH if any of these apply to you:
live in a dry, arid region
have pets that live in your home
you or a family member suffers from asthma,allergies or another respiratory illnesses
your home is undergoing construction or another event that is likely to cause extra dust
Buy enough filters all at one time to last the whole year . Write the name of the month you will be changing it on each filter. Pencil the change-out on your calendar or set a notification on your electronic device to help you remember.
Find out more about indoor air quality at www.epa.gov
Get more tips for improving the air inside your home at www.cdc.gov