Changing your air filters is one of the most important aspects of HVAC maintenance, and one of the most neglected. It’s also the easiest. The air filter is generally located next to your unit’s air handler. Slide the old filter out and inspect it. If the filter doesn’t appear dirty or clogged, then slide it back in and check it the following month. Otherwise, slide the new one in with the arrows pointing toward your furnace or air handler. This simple task can benefit you in all sorts of ways. Here are six benefits of checking your air filters regularly:
- Saving energy. A clogged filter reduces your HVAC unit’s airflow. Less airflow means your unit expends more energy to heat or cool your home properly. Changing air filters regularly will keep your equipment running at peak efficiency, saving you money.
- Longer lifespan. When your furnace, heat pump or A/C is working harder than necessary to make your home comfortable, it’s not just wasting energy; it’s also putting extra strain on your system. Over time, this can damage it, causing overheating and ultimately shortening equipment life.
- Saving wear and tear on your components. The increased airflow that results from changing air filters monthly also helps to reduce stress to your air handler, reducing the risk of burning out your fan motor.
- Improved indoor air quality. Efficient air filters significantly reduce allergies, asthma and other health problems by removing not only dust and pollen, but also mold, bacteria and harmful gases. Look at the filter’s MERV rating, and get the most efficient filter that won’t damage your system (usually around MERV 8-12). But remember, even the most efficient filter is useless if it’s clogged.
- A cleaner system. Your filter doesn’t just keep contaminants out of the air; it also keeps them out of your HVAC system. When a filter gets clogged, contaminants get blown back into the unit, or into your ducts, requiring expensive maintenance.
- Reducing your carbon footprint. The less energy you use, the fewer fossil fuels are burned to produce it. When you change your air filter every month, you’re doing your part to save the environment.
For more tips on saving energy and improving indoor air quality, contact our experts at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. For more than 50 years, we have provided superior HVAC service to Lorain County and the surrounding areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about checking air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area