Air Conditioner Filters: What Is the Difference and Why Are They Important?

If you have a central air conditioning unit, you know that it is an expensive piece of equipment that has a lot to do with how comfortable you are in your home. In order to make the most of this investment, you have to take care of your air conditioner. Part of taking care of your air conditioner is making sure that you change out the filter regularly. This is important for the health of your air conditioner unit, and for the health of yourself and your family. The filter in your air conditioning unit traps the unwanted particles that reside in your home, and keeps them from re-circulating back into the air. Filters keep your home from being overrun with dust, mold, and bacteria.

Typically, you can find air conditioning filters at your hardware store, and even in some cases at your grocery store. This disposable filters come in all sizes, and you should be able to find one that will fit in your unit. They are fairly inexpensive, but they do not last forever. It is important that you purchase and replace these filters at least every one to two months. It is always a great idea to buy them in bulk, so that you have a supply on hand to change out your filter when it starts to get too dirty. Changing out the filter every three months or so, will help you keep a cleaner house with cleaner air for yourself and your family.

There are also filters on the market that you only have to purchase once. They are made of washable materials instead of the polyester that the disposable filters are made out of. You will have to pay a little more for one of these filters, but most of them come with a lifetime warranty. These types of filters will save you money in the long run, because cleaning them is as easy as taking it outside and spraying with your garden hose. They can also be cleaned as frequently as you would like, making the air in your house free from dust, mold, and bacteria. These types of filters are an investment worth making.

You are now probably wondering why changing out the air filter is so important. There are many reasons. A clogged air filter does not trap allergens or dust making the air in your home stale and dirty. If your allergies start acting up, suddenly it is a good idea to check your filter and make sure it is clean, if not you have found your culprit and you should take care of that immediately. Filters also trap a lot of the dust that naturally occurs in any building. If you are not found of dusting your furniture or vacuuming then maintaining a clean air filter will help you do these chores with less frequency. Filters also help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses, so during those when the flu is rampant it is a good idea to make sure your filtration system is not causing more harm than good.

When it comes to comfort, health and cleanliness of your home, it is better to be safe than sorry. Make sure the air filters in the air conditioning unit are clean, and make sure you are performing the proper maintenance on your unit to ensure that it is working efficiently. Nobody wants to be uncomfortable in their own home, and part of that is making sure it stays at a good temperature, and that you and your family are breathing clean fresh air even when you are inside. Air conditioning units will break from time to time, and the repairs are always expensive, but checking the unit and cleaning it properly will go a long way toward protecting your investment.