Air filters will clean out the particles in the air including dust, dirt and other "contaminants." Too many of these particles flying around your home can contribute to allergies, congestion and other health problems. The air filter will catch the majority of these particles before it reaches your vents. Over time, the air filter will get clogged by these particles, which makes it difficult for air to get through. This could result in your HVAC system working harder to try and reach the temperature set at your thermostat.
When To Change Your Air Filters
It might seem easy to know when it's time. When the air filters are visibly dirty, change them. However, choosing how often you should do this depends on several factors.
- The type of filter your HVAC system requires.
- The overall air quality of your city.
- If you have pets.
- The number of people occupating the house.
- General air pollution in your city or if there is construction taking place nearby.
It's best to follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the type of air filter you buy, which is usually bi-monthly. This is a great rule of thumb, however, this general guideline is not going to apply for everyone. If you have any allergies, smoke, have pets or any of the things mentioned above, you may need to change the air filter more often. On the other hand, if you live in a remote area or if your home is infrequently occupied (such as a vacation home), you may not need to change it as often.
How To Tell If It Needs Changing
A dirty air filter isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it means the filter is doing its job to remove dust and other particles from the air in your home. However, it's important to change the air filter before they become clogged to ensure the air can flow nicely through. There is no general guideline as to how much dirt is too much dirt, however, if there is a visible coating of dirt covering most of the filter's surface, in a layer that is thick enough that you can no longer see the filter material itself, that's a sign that your filter has been in the HVAC system far too long. A working filter would have a good coating of dust - a coat of fine particle where the underlying material is still visible. Once it gets beyond that point, it's time to change it.
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