The Importance of Changing Your HVAC Air Filter
There are so many little chores to keep up with as a homeowner, it’s tough to stay on top of things. However, there are certain tasks that should be at the top of your list, such changing your HVAC air filter. It may seem like a repetitive job that isn’t as important as changing the batteries in a smoke detector, but HVAC air filters impact your daily life a lot more than you may realize. So while smoke detectors are vital to our health and safety, they are a precaution. The indoor air quality in your home is directly impacted by your HVAC system and you breath it in every day.
Improve Air Quality
The most important reason for changing your HVAC air filter is because it directly impacts the health of your home – from your spouse and kids, to your pets. Your HVAC system operates by circulating air throughout the ductwork and into your home. This means that whatever particles that are small enough to float in the air are passing through the HVAC system and out into the rooms of your home. Think of all the little particles you see floating through a ray of sunlight. Now think about what kind of particles those are. They could be dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, or any other type of airborne particle. Is that really something that you want your family to breath in every day? Changing filters frequently will improve the indoor air quality of your home, which is especially important if you have young children, elderly family members, or someone that struggles with allergies or breathing problems. Filters work by catching the airborne particles and letting the filtered air pass through. Once a filter becomes full, it can’t trap the particles as well and the clean air can’t pass through as efficiently.
Increase HVAC Lifespan
HVAC systems are expensive – there is no way around that. It is much less expensive to take care of the system than it is to pay for repairs or a replacement. If an HVAC air filter isn’t changed out frequently enough, it can cause the system to work harder. This stress on the system can shorten an HVAC’s lifespan. If the filter becomes clogged, air can’t pass through as easily so the HVAC has to work harder to move the air through. By simply changing the filter at the recommended time, you can save yourself thousands of dollars. Indoor air quality is important to your family’s health, as well as to your wallet.
Efficiency
Allowing your HVAC system to work at maximum efficiency saves you money in multiple ways. By changing the air filter at the appropriate time, you not only help extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit, you also save yourself money in energy bills. If an HVAC system is working harder, pushing air through a clogged and dirty filter, it is using more electricity. A clean air filter allows air to pass through easily, using less electricity. By keeping up with clean air filters, you can save yourself up to 15% on utility costs.
Help the Environment
If you improve the indoor air quality of your home, you are also helping the environment. By allowing your system to run efficiently, you are reducing the amount of energy the HVAC system uses. This means that it is also emitting fewer greenhouse gases, like carbon monoxide. Going green is a great contribution we can all make to our planet – and it’s easy to make small changes to help the environment. Something as simple as changing your HVAC air filter regularly has so many benefits, not only for your health and wallet, but also the health of the planet.
Filters should be changed at least every three months, if not more. The filter itself should have labeling that tells you the lifespan of that particular filter. If you live in an area with lots of pollen, have pets, smoke, or have a wood burning fireplace, you will need to change the filter more frequently. If you have any questions about HVAC air filters or other ways you can improve the indoor air quality of your home, please give Weather Crafters a call. We have tons of experience with various filters and can recommend the best fit for your home. Installation is something we can help with too. Save yourself some money, protect the health of your loved ones, and protect the environment all through one little action – change your HVAC air filter!
For more information about the importance of changing your HVAC air filter, check out https://www.weathermasterhvac.com/articles/the-importance-of-changing-your-air-filter/
