An essential component of your home’s forced-air heating and cooling system is the air filter. It removes particulates from household air before they can settle on components in your HVAC system or get distributed along with conditioned air in your home. If the filter gets clogged with dust and debris, however, it can have negative effects on both energy efficiency and home comfort. That’s why it’s important to inspect the filter regularly, so you can change it before it gets clogged.
What Happens if the Filter Gets Clogged?
A blocked filter will force HVAC equipment, including the blower fan, to work harder to draw air into your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump, and then circulate conditioned air throughout your home. This wastes energy, stresses parts and result in less effective heating and cooling. Your system will be more prone to breakdowns and may end up having a shorter service life due to working so hard to force air through the clogged filter.
Most experts recommend a monthly air-filter check, with replacement if the filter looks clogged or dirty. But what if you forget? Following are a few tips that will help you remember to inspect the filter:
- A foolproof method is to upgrade your HVAC system with one that has a “check filter” light. This, obviously, only makes sense if the timing is right to replace your heating or cooling system.
- Install a Wi-Fi smart thermostat that sends a signal to your smartphone, tablet or computer if it’s time to check the filter.
- Program a monthly reminder in your smartphone or computer.
- If you have monthly tasks such as paying bills, include a slip of paper in your folder or checkbook ordering yourself to check the air filter.
- When you buy air filters, stock up on a bunch of them and then leave them in a conspicuous location. That way, you’ll constantly be reminded to check the filter.
For more advice concerning the air filter in your home, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide quality HVAC services in Lorain, Erie, and Cuyahoga counties.
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 how to change your air filter and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area