Your air conditioner gets quite a workout during the Yuma summer, where 100-degree-plus daytime temperatures are common from May through September. Shutting windows for the dust storms we sometimes experience may also require using the A/C more often. So what impact do these summer conditions have on your air filter?
The fact is, the more you use your air conditioner, the more often you should change the air filter.
Your Air Filter in Summer
When you turn on the air conditioner, it pulls what’s known as return air through the system for conditioning. Along with that air comes a variety of pollutants, including dirt, dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). You want to keep these particles out of your HVAC system for two reasons:
- Dirt particles in your HVAC system can impede performance and efficiency.
- The particles may be recirculated into your supply air.
The more your A/C works, the more dirt and other particles are likely to be drawn inside. And hat means the filter gets dirtier.
How Dirt Impacts Your Filter
The dirtier the filter, the less effective it is at keeping out airborne particles, and the more they are likely to be drawn into your air supply. In addition to poor indoor air quality and to reduced airflow and efficiency, a dirty filter may cause these problems:
- Warm and cold spots caused by reduced airflow
- Dirty coils and fans, with possible frozen coils, leading to breakdown
Changing the Filter
Because you use your air conditioner so much in summer, it stands to reason you should check it frequently, and if it’s dirty, change it and avoid the problems discussed above.
A good quality air filter usually requires changing only every three months or so, as opposed to monthly changes for fiberglass filters. However, when weather conditions such as super high temperatures and dust storms strain the A/C, you may want to change it more often.
To learn more about changing the air filter, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We’ve served Yuma 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 changing your air filter in the summer and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Steve Heap/Shutterstock”
