Are clean air filters as important as everyone says they are?
How often do you change the air filters on your heating and cooling system? If you have to think about it, then you’re probably not changing them enough. Let’s take a look at air filters, what they do, and how often you really need to change them.
What Is an Air Filter and What Does It Do?
Your heating and cooling system relies on all its components to work properly to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. One of the most critical of those components is the air filter.
While it may seem like the primary job of the air filter is to keep dirty air from circulating through your home, the filter is actually there to protect your heating and cooling system. As air flows in through the air return vents and into your HVAC, the filter traps dust and other particles to keep them from getting into the system. Its primary purpose is to protect that system. As an added benefit, it also helps keep that same dust and debris from blowing back into the rooms of your home.
How Often Does an Air Filter Need Changing?
It depends on your system, usage, type of filter and other factors. However, a good rule of thumb is to change a filter every three to six months. If you have pets or live in an area with a lot of dust, pollen or other air pollutants, you might want to change your filter more often. Most companies recommend changing the filter every 90 days. If you have individuals with severe allergies or respiratory issues living in your home, you might want to change your filters as often as every 30 days.
Having clean air filters is critical to the effectiveness of your heating and cooling system. For more information on air filters and other HVAC maintenance issues, contact the experts at H.H. Hovey today.
