Checking the air filter in your HVAC system is a simple, quick task. Unfortunately, it’s also one that tends to slip homeowners’ minds for months at a time. That’s probably because many people simply don’t realize the importance of a clean filter removing dust, debris and other pollutants from the air.
Checking the air filter and replacing it when needed provides a number of benefits and helps avoid quite a few problems as well:
- Improved air quality. When your filter gets clogged, the force of the air eventually will start blowing dirty air past the filter, around its frame. That means mold, bacteria, viruses and other particles remain in the air you breath.
- Lower energy bills. Dirty filters also block airflow, which forces your HVAC equipment to work harder and consume more energy.
- Protect your equipment. Blocked airflow strains your equipment, and at the same time, clogged filters result in dust, dirt and pollutants getting inside your equipment and gumming up the works. This increases repairs and breakdowns.
Incorporate checking the air filter into your home maintenance routine and you’ll see all these benefits:
- Check it monthly. You won’t necessarily have to change your filter every month, but you should still check to make sure.
- Replace it as soon as possible. When the filter looks dirty, replace it on the spot.
- Keep extra filters in the garage. It is useful to have replacements on hand so you don’t have to wait for your next trip to the store.
You can increase these benefits even more if you upgrade to a high-quality air filter:
- MERV – Filters are rated according to their minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). The cheap, 1-inch filters let too many particles pass through while filters above MERV 12 may hinder airflow and decrease efficiency. Somewhere between MERV 6 and 11 generally will provide a proper balance between maintaining air quality and airflow in your HVAC system.
- Installed correctly – There should be an arrow on the cardboard frame of the filter. Make sure the filter fits snugly and the arrow points toward the blower motor.
If you have questions about checking the air filter in your HVAC system or you’d like more money-saving tips, please contact us Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Co. We’ve been serving Yuma and southwest Arizona for more than 60 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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