As HVAC specialists in Roxboro,NC we get asked the following question time and time again:
“Do I need to change my air filter? And how often?”
The answer is simple: Yes, you absolutely need to change your heating and air conditioning air filter. You need to know when to change it and remember to do it consistently, otherwise you’re going to overwork your HVAC system. Still not convinced?
Here are 3 reasons you need to change your air filter.
1. You’re Putting Your Health At Risk
Have you been feeling under the weather lately? It might be your air filter. According to the EPA, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. Changing the air filters is absolutely paramount to keeping your family safe. Bad air quality can make allergies way worse and can be life threatening to people with asthma. You want your home to be a safe place. Keep it safe just by changing it.
2. Different Homes Change It At Different Times
So you’ve heard that your cousin Eric hasn’t changed his all year and it’s completely clean, so that means you don’t either right?Wrong. Knowing when you have to change your filter actually comes down to a couple of factors:
- Type of filter your A/C system needs
- The overall air quality of your home
- Whether you have Pets – Birds, cats, dogs, hamsters, etc.
- Number of people living in the house
- The air pollution in the your city area or whether construction is taking place nearby
For your typical 1″-3″ air filters say to change them bi-monthly, which is in fact a great rule of thumb. However, this is not true for all. If you have light to moderate allergies, you may need to upgrade the air filter or change them even more regularly than OEM specifications. On the other hand, if you’re like Eric and live in a remote area where there are fewer cars around, replacing your air filters just once each year may be absolutely fine.
Here’s a handy guide to show how it breaks down:
- Seldom used home or single occupant homes without pets or allergies: Every 6-12 months
- Typical suburban home without pets: Every 90 days
- Add a dog or cat: Every 60 days
- Multiple pets or have allergies: Every 30-45 days
3. It’s Ultimately Costing You Money
If there’s debris like dust and dirt in your air filter, it’s making your unit work harder. You’re turning your thermostat even more to circulate the air you need in your home. It’s taking longer to get your house to the temperature you need it to be and you better believe you’ll see that on your energy bill. Just change it when it needs to be changed. It will make your machine work better and you will be a lot happier with your bank account balance.
What Should You Do Now?
If you have any other questions, about air filters or other HVAC areas, feel free to contact us at 336-597-8664. To get your heating and air conditioning repairs done right, request an appointment and we’ll get with you right away.
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