Air filters are a key component of your HVAC system, but they tend to be ignored by homeowners, even though they are essential to your health and the life of your central air unit. Here are four reasons why you need to change the filters in your central air conditioning unit.
It Extends the Life of Your HVAC Equipment
Air filters filter the air flowing into and out of the furnace and AC system. If any of these filters are clogged, the fan motors and compressors will work longer and harder to get enough air and maintain air pressure throughout the system. This wears out expensive equipment, like the motor, faster than necessary. The very simple solution is to replace the filters more often: you’ll spend more up front, so you spend less down the road.
The challenge faced by many is finding replacement filters for the small and oddly shaped filters found across their home. However, a company like FilterBuy is the perfect solution. They offer filters in nearly every size and shape. You can find 17x19x1 filters for your laundry room air vent or 30x36x1 inch filters for the air intake vents. 10x10x1 air filters are also available for the small rooms in your home. Note that you need to replace all filters in your home to get the clean air you want delivered to every room in your home.
It Improves Your Indoor Air Quality
We may open the windows to let fresh air in because indoor air quality is often worse than the outside air. This causes us to waste the energy used to heat or cool our homes, and it lets outdoor pollutants in.
A simple solution is to change all air filters in your home. They’ll filter more dust, pet dander, smoke, and other fine particles to improve your air quality. Depending on the air filters you choose, they may also remove mold and bacteria from the air in addition to pollen. You may even be able to dust less often as some filters will filter out various chemicals from the air. That’s why replacing your air filters is one of the best things you can do to improve indoor air quality.
It Lowers Your Energy Bills
We’ve already mentioned how replacing your air filters eliminates the temptation to open a window and let in outside air at the expense of the indoor air you paid to heat or cool. Replacing your air filters can reduce your energy bills in another way. If your air filters are clogged, the air conditioner must work longer and harder to get your home to the desired temperature.
This means you need one of the most energy intensive pieces of equipment in your home to run for several more hours a week. The impact on your energy bill is probably higher than the cost of a replacement air filter. An added benefit to replacing your filters is your home being more eco-friendly, given you’re reducing your energy usage and, subsequentially, your environmental impact.
It is estimated by the US Department Of Energy that keeping your filters clean and replacing them when needed could allow you to save as much as 15% on your utility bills.
Better Health
Investing in good filters is investing in your family’s health and well-being. Having a good filter is especially important during allergy and flu seasons when you and your family spend the most time indoors. While having to dust less is always nice, good filters can not only keep pollen and dust out, but the germs attached to dirt and dust particles as well.
This is also important if you have children who suffer from asthma. Clean filters could translate to less attacks and improve their breathing patterns. Seniors should also pay special attention to their filters, as they are also very vulnerable to pathogens.
Find out what type of air filters are used by your HVAC system, and make sure you take the time to replace them, since there are so many reasons to get it done.