Keeping your home’s air clean and healthy is an important part of maintaining a comfortable living environment. Finding top-rated air conditioning installation services is crucial to fit your home or business with a high-quality HVAC system. But after installation, it’s your responsibility to check and replace your air filter when necessary. The air filter collects various contaminants from your indoor air, and with time it can get clogged, tanking its performance and posing a health risk to your household. Has your HVAC technician recommended that you replace your air filter? Here is why changing your air filter may be in your best interest.
Improve Energy Efficiency
By regularly changing your air filter, you will ensure that your HVAC system runs at optimal efficiency. This means it won’t have to work overtime to cool down the house because the clogged filters prevent the air from flowing through the ductwork properly. When this happens, energy bills can soar, and it is likely only a matter of time before your system breaks down.
Create a Healthier Living Environment
A dirty air filter can cause airborne particles to flourish and breed in the home, resulting in an unhealthy living environment for you and your family. Changing the filter will help keep these particles out of the air you breathe while ensuring that any allergies or other respiratory issues are kept at bay.
Extended HVAC Lifespan
By catching dust, dirt, and other small particles, the filter prevents them from entering and grinding away at your valuable machine’s delicate components. Instead of facing an eventual breakdown due to clogged and worn-out gauges, regularly changing your air filter will ensure that all internal elements are kept in optimal condition.
Reduce Maintenance Cost
A dirty or clogged air filter can dramatically increase your maintenance costs. As the system is unable to function as efficiently, more repairs are usually needed and more often, leading to a higher cost for upkeep. By changing your air filter, you can minimize the amount of money spent on maintenance and repairs.
Cleaner House
An old, dirty air filter can continuously push allergens and dust around your house, making your home a hazardous place to breathe. When you switch out the old air filter for a clean one, it will help reduce the amount of dirt particles and pollen that float through the air, meaning that you and your family can breathe more easily and have a cleaner living space.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Air Filter for Your Home
Air filters come in many different types, sizes, and styles. This means that choosing the right filter for your unique needs can be tricky. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the appropriate air filter for your home:
1. Size of Your Air Filter
The size of your air filter is essential in order to ensure that the proper amount of air flows through your home. Too small and the filter won’t be able to catch dirt and dust particles; too large, and it will restrict the airflow.
2. Performance
Air filters come in different grades of performance, from basic to high-efficiency. Consider the specific needs of your home before purchasing a filter; higher-grade filters will cost more, but they are well worth the investment if you need a high level of performance.
3. Type
There are different types of air filters available, ranging from reusable to disposable. Consider the filter’s purpose before purchasing; reusable filters typically last longer but require regular maintenance, while disposable filters are often cheaper and easier to maintain.
4. Air Quality Needs
The air quality of your home should be a major factor in determining the type of filter you select. If you have allergies or asthma, consider purchasing a filter with a higher MERV rating to ensure better air quality.
5. Your Environment
If you live in an area prone to allergies, choosing a higher-grade air filter may be beneficial since it can help trap more allergens. On the other hand, a high-end filter may not be necessary if you live in an area with less air pollution. Additionally, consider factors such as how much dust and dirt accumulate in your home, what type of particles are floating around (smoke or pollen), and whether there are any specific smells that need to be eliminated or reduced.
Regularly changing your air filter is important for several reasons. It will help improve the quality of your indoor air, extend your HVAC system’s life, and save you money on energy bills. A dirty or clogged air filter makes your system work harder, which uses more energy and ultimately drives up costs. Also, taking time to assess the features will help you purchase the best air filter for your needs.