Making sure that you regularly change your air conditioning filter is one of the easiest and quickest ways that you can help keep your air conditioning system in peak performing condition. The dust in your home is made up of everything from plant spores, pollen and all manner of bacteria.
Because it is out of sight oftentimes we don't think about how important it is, but the filter on our a/c is a key component to delivering clean and fresh air to our home. A dirty air conditioning filter not only restricts air flow, it cuts the efficiency of your unit. Here are a few quick tips to make sure that you are getting the best use out of your filter.
How Often Should It Be Replaced?
How often a filter needs replacing depends a lot upon where you are living and how much you use your a/c. At a minimum filters should be changed every three months to maintain the air quality in your home.
But a lot depends upon the air that is being recirculated through your system. If you have pets, you or a member of your family suffers from allergies or even if you like to cook a lot you may need to adjust the frequency of changing your filter to keep your filter clean and working.
A/C filters are designed to trap particles that range from visible to microscopic in size. And it is these microscopic particles that make up the largest amount of debris that gets circulated in your homes air. According to the EPA, indoor area can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.
Why It Needs Replacing
Not only is breathing dirty air bad for the health of you and your family, a dirty filter will cause your HVAC system to be less efficient and waste utility costs.
Changing your filter regularly guarantees that you will put less strain on your air conditioning system and therefore be less likely to suffer costly breakdowns. Bottom line is that the dirtier a filter is the harder your air conditioning unit has to work to circulate the air through it.
Your filter fills up over time with the dirt particles that it is removing from your air. As the filter gets clogged up the a/c needs to work harder when it is pulling the air through.
How To Replace A Filter
Filters are pretty easy to replace and can usually be done by anyone with even mediocre mechanical skills. First you need to locate your filter/filters. Some HVAC systems have a filter both for incoming and outgoing air and both of these should be changed at the same time. Once located, remove them from their housing.
Make sure that you make note of which direction the air flow is going in the filter so when you replace it you have the new filter facing the same way. Carefully measure the filter. You will need the width, length and depth when you purchase your new filters.
If you have access to the specs on your a/c unit you can usually find the size and type of filter that will work best with your unit. Buy the most efficient air conditioning filter that will work with your unit. Filters come in a variety of sizes and types from numerous manufacturers.
Once you have found the correct replacement air conditioning filter make sure to use a marker to date it and put an arrow along the edge to show which way the air flow should be going. Then simply install the filter.
Conclusion
It's a good idea to link the changing of your filter to specific times of the year so you don't accidentally forget to change it. One good idea would be at the beginning of each season. Depending upon your usage you could also change them when the time changes.
No matter how you remember, changing your filter on a regular basis will help to insure that your HVAC unit is working at optimum efficiency.
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