If you’re like most people, you don’t think about your HVAC system until it stops working the way it should. Did you know one of the biggest sources of a system failure or complication is due to a clogged air filter?
How Often Should Air Filters Be Changed?
It depends on the type of air filter you are using. Most manufacturers recommend that basic filters are changed every 30 to 60 days, but that can fluctuate depending on other variables.
- A filter in a home with no pets should be changed every 90 days
- If your home has pets or someone with allergies it should be changed every 30-45 days
How Do Air Filters Work?
They act as a barrier to prevent contaminants and other particles from circulating into the air. Some of the common things they block are: bacteria, lint, pollen, dust, mold, hair, and more.
What Happens When you Don’t Change your Filter?
When they are not changed on a regular schedule they get clogged by the buildup of contaminants and particles. This buildup creates an almost impenetrable barrier so that the air cannot completely flow through it. This causes much bigger issues for your entire HVAC system.
Higher Energy Bills
When air cannot properly flow through the system, it causes the system to work harder to distribute heat or air where it is needed. This results in higher utility bills due to your system running for a longer period of time.
Furnace Failures
Due to the system working harder from a clogged air filter, it can cause the entire system to overwork and eventually break. Replacing an entire system is expensive, while an air filter costs around $40. They are easy to replace and worthwhile so your system lasts for years to come.
Poor Temperature Regulation
Clogged filters make the system strain for airflow, resulting in air not being able to adequately go where it is needed. Some rooms may end up being too hot in the summer and too cold during the winter.
Health Concerns
When a filter is clogged it cannot trap the contaminants and particles like it did before. Those things end up back in the air that everyone is breathing. Your family could start experiencing headaches, dizziness, and itchy eyes or throat. The long-term effects are much more severe.
What To Do
If you haven’t changed your air filters recently, figure out which filters you need and replace them as soon as possible. If you find that your air filters are very clogged, it’s time to contact an HVAC professional to inspect and resolve any issues that may have been caused by the clogged air filters. Give us a call at 712-252-3007!
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