How Often (And Why) Do You Really Need To Change Your Air Filter?

One of the most important aspects of keeping your home comfortable is regular maintenance. This includes checking and changing the HVAC filters for your furnace or air conditioner, as well as performing seasonal tune-ups to keep everything running smoothly.

Air filters are there to clean the air before it enters your lungs, so maintaining it is important. By cleaning the air entering into your room, you are not only providing clean air to breathe for yourself, but also for those who may be more susceptible to certain elements in the atmosphere. Here are some quick facts about why and how often should you change the air filters.

They keep your HVAC unit running at its best

If you’ve ever seen what happens to a filter when it’s clogged, you’ll understand why it’s important to change your air filters. Burleigh County homeowners never hesitate to call this furnace repair service in Bismarck to tend to their HVAC units and make sure all issues are handled in their infancy. If the airflow is restricted and there’s not enough clean air moving through the unit, then some parts may no longer work as efficiently or even at all. As the folks behind FilterBuy explain, cleaning out the accumulated dirt and debris helps maintain the efficiency of every part of your HVAC system including the coils, fans, motors, and all moving parts. By keeping these components running smoothly, you won’t have to worry about changing the entire unit any time soon.

They keep HVAC costs down

The most expensive filter you’ll ever buy is the one you don’t change. The longer a dirty filter remains in your HVAC unit, the harder your system works to produce the same amount of conditioned air. This increases both energy consumption and utility bills. 

A clean filter also helps extend the life of your equipment because it reduces wear and tear. By keeping it free from debris, dirt, and dust particles, you’re helping to prevent parts from wearing prematurely or even failing, which will help your systems last longer. They can save you money on HVAC installation costs

They keep you safe from airborne allergens

Dust, pollen, dirt, and other debris can cause serious health problems for young children, elderly people, and pets. It’s not enough to simply clean your furnace or air conditioner unit each year; you need to be sure that all filters are in good shape to remove the harmful particles from the air before circulation occurs. They also keep your system running smoothly by preventing overheating and overcooling. Many HVAC units have a small light on them which lets you know when the filter needs to be changed, when it is lit up it will tell you that you need to change it out because they are clogged with dust and debris.

They keep your home comfortable

Not only do clean filters help improve indoor air quality, but they also provide a more comfortable environment for you. If your HVAC system continues to run with a dirty filter, the air will feel dry and somewhat stuffy. It can also cause your unit to be noisy or for it to shut off, which means that you’ll have to keep manually restarting it over and over again. This reduces the ease of use in your home.

A clean filter in your HVAC system keeps humidity in check in both summer and winter, so you’ll never be too hot or too cold. It will also help keep air circulating evenly throughout your entire home to avoid temperature imbalances between rooms. This prevents hot or cold spots from forming, which may require you to set different temperatures in various areas.

How often should it be done?

The frequency with which you change your filters will depend on a few different factors, including environmental conditions, as well as the type of filter that your unit requires. Some HVAC units require more frequent filter changes than others.

For example, if you live in an area that experiences heavy amounts of rainfall or humidity, then you will probably need to change it every 30-45 days. If you are located in an arid area where it is very hot and dry outside throughout most of the year, then changing it out every 6 months should be sufficient enough. You can generally look on the side or top of your unit’s air filter cabinet to find this information listed for reference later on when needed.

So while changing your air filters regularly may seem like a chore, it is very important for your health and well-being. With a little foresight and diligence, finding the ideal schedule to change them won’t be too hard. It would be advantageous if you could put a reminder in your calendar, smartphone, or another device for when the time is right to change them again.

Having these air-filtration systems in our homes is important. If we did not, then the air that we breathe would be dirtier than it already is. Keeping your system well maintained will ensure you enjoy clean air for years to come without all of the hassles or worry about having to get them replaced very often.