How Often Should I Change My AC Filter?
Rising energy costs are a cause for concern, hence homeowners are continually trying to find ways to save energy. Cooling and heating costs account for one half of our annual energy consumption, but energy bills can be significantly reduced if the HVAC system is running smoothly. Homeowners who want to heat and cool their home efficiently should ensure their air conditioner filters are changed frequently, but how do we know when it’s time to change the air filter?
Reasons to Change the HVAC Filter Frequently:
- The indoor air quality is poor
- You reside in an area with high levels of air pollution
- Many people live in the property
- You have family pets – cat, dog, caged bird or hamster
- A member of the household suffers from an allergy
- New homes are being built in the area
- Family members smoke indoors
Dirty AC filters prevent an AC unit from working efficiently. Polluted air, dirt and dust, pet hair and smoke clog the hvac filters; hence the quality of the indoor air suffers. Polluted indoor air poses a severe health risk, so the air filters should be changed regularly.
How Frequently Should the AC Filters be changed?
Most homeowners have their HVAC units serviced in spring and fall. The HVAC engineer will automatically change the air filters when he or she services the AC system. However, homeowners should check the AC filters every month and change the air filter if dirty. The majority of homeowners are capable of changing their own hvac filters, but a percentage of people simply fail to remember to install clean AC filters. HVAC maintenance experts say the air filters should be replaced frequently to maximise the life of the HVAC system. Clean air filters produce clean indoor air, so those who change the air filters regularly enjoy healthier living.
General Guidelines for Air Filter Replacement
The air filters trap the grime and dust in the air. Dirty HVAC filters impact on the HVAC systems performance. Some homeowners will need to renew the air filters regularly, whereas others who live in the country may find the filters stay cleaner for longer. Here is a general guide to changing hvac filters:
- Homeowners with a dog or a cat should change the air filters every sixty days
- People who have allergies should change the HVAC filters every four to six weeks
- Homeowners who have no pets may find they only need to change the AC filters every three months
- Those who live alone may only need to replace the air filter twice yearly
Wise homeowners will replace the HVAC filters as soon as they become grimy or dusty. HVAC
equipment is in constant use in winter and summer months, so the air filters should be checked regularly and replaced as needed.
R.F. Ohl offers HVAC maintenance services to Northeastern Pennsylvania covering the 5 counties including Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe and Schuylkill Counties. R.F. Ohl is a family-run business for over 30 years, prioritizing quality and customer satisfaction. It provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services. Call us today to schedule maintenance on your AC system before the heat strikes.