What Happens When You Use The Incorrect Air Filter For Your Home

There are several ways that you could go about saving money on monthly energy bills. For the easiest way to go about this, just remember to use the correct HVAC filter on the unit installed in your home.

In fact, this is a fundamental part of your HVAC preventative maintenance checklist.

A lot of consumers attempt to save money by using off-brand filters or going with makeshift ones. There is a difference between filters. They are not all the same quality.

Installing the wrong one has the potential for increasing what you pay in energy costs. Also, the wrong air filter can affect your respiratory system. It does not filter out allergens and other pollutants.

In this article, we will discuss why you should be using the appropriate HVAC filter for your unit.

Using The Wrong Air Filter Is A Hazard

The filter installed on your air conditioning and heating unit should be the one recommended by the manufacturer. This screen may be a traditional fiberglass replacement, a HEPA filter, or some type of hybrid. The most important thing to remember is to install the right one. This is regardless what kind is placed in the unit when you move into your home. With access to the internet, it is easy enough to find and purchase the appropriate filter. You can input the serial number of the unit in the browser. You can also search manufacturer’s name.

The denser the filter, the more dust it will filter from the air. It may not need replacing as often. However, unless your unit has enough suction power to properly aerate through the filter, it could cause a blockage, which makes your system work harder. Dense filters like these can even cause electrical shortages.

Consider upgrading your air filter with a permanent electrostatic filter. A pre-filter in the electrostatic filters attracts dust by way of a static electrical charge. As dust accumulates, this electrostatic charge causes particles to be attracted to each other. This makes them more substantial in size collecting in an accumulator chamber. Unlike traditional filters, this one doesn’t require constant replacing.

Indoor Air Quality Facts

Incorrect filters cause dust and pollen to increase to very high levels. The result is flare ups of allergic reactions in anyone with sensitivities to these contaminants. Here are some other gross facts about how installing incorrect filters affects the air quality of your home.

• Incorrect air filters can increase asthma in children. Studies show that pediatric asthma has increased as much as 73%. It is unfortunate that improperly installed filters have increased the risk for children developing asthma.
• Indoor air quality can actually be as much as 100 worse than outdoor air. In fact, indoor air quality can contain 2 to 5 times more pollutants than outdoor air. Some reports say that older homes with inefficient or inadequate HVAC systems often have a hundred times more pollutants suspended in the air than what is found outdoors.

HVAC Maintenance Easton PA

Some homeowners fail to change the air filter on their heating unit and air conditioning system as often as they should. Without this preventative maintenance measure, contaminants and pollutants can permeate the entire HVAC system. Additionally, inappropriate air filters can prevent airflow from progressing as it should due to dust accumulation. This causes the unit to work harder as it tries to move air. Also, this makes it less efficient at heating and cooling your home. At the same time, your family’s respiratory health is affected.

To prevent this from happening, have a certified HVAC contractor take a look at your HVAC system. A professional is able to recommend the correct HVAC maintenance tips and air filters. They can also recommend upgrades to make it more efficient.

When going through your HVAC maintenance checklist, be sure to find out whether or not you are using the correct air filter for your home. Additionally, be sure to schedule a heating system tune-up in the fall and an AC tune-up in the spring. This is a great way to improve indoor air quality, promote energy efficiency, and enhance your home’s comfort levels. Do not worry about HVAC maintenance costs as a tune-up pays itself off quickly through reduced energy bills. Be sure to contact the NATE certified professionals at R.F. Ohl to schedule a tune-up or to find other ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Durham PA 18039, Easton PA 18040, Hellertown PA 18055, Kintnersville PA 18930, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Riegelsville PA 18077, Springtown PA 18081, Stockertown PA 18083, and Tatamy PA 18085. We also service all of Carbon County, Monroe County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, and Schuylkill County.

Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.