Maintaining clean air circulation throughout your home requires routinely changing the air filters in your HVAC system. Your HVAC system has to work harder and is more likely to break down if the air filter goes unchanged for an extended amount of time and is dirty. In contrast to other do-it-yourself home renovation tasks, replacing air filters is a simple, painless procedure that takes less than an hour to complete. Even so, many homeowners fail to change their air filters regularly, which puts their systems at risk of damage. For more information or help with your home’s HVAC system, contact the friendly professionals at The Otter Guys, where you receive a service like no “otter!”
How Often You Should Change Your Air Filter
Most HVAC businesses and manufacturers recommend replacing your air filter every 90 days or three months. However, pets, the age of your system and equipment, and the location of your home (dusty, dry regions, for example) can all affect that timeframe, making it necessary to change the filter more frequently.
Replacing your filter every 20 to 45 days is advised if you have many pets or individuals with allergies or respiratory disorders. If you have pets in your house, consider doing it every 60 days or every two months. Houses that remain vacant or are used as vacation homes can typically wait to have their filters changed every 9-12 months. However, if you are unsure, it is better to change the filter sooner rather than later to avoid breathing congested air or potentially damaging your system.
Why It Is Important To Change Your Air Filter
For your air conditioning system to recirculate clean, fresh air into your house, air filters are designed to capture pet hair, dust, and other undesirable particles. When the filter goes unchanged and gathers too much dust and debris, air cannot adequately pass through it or reach the HVAC unit, which can result in several issues, including:
- Excessive energy costs: A clogged HVAC filter makes it harder for your system to draw air to heat or cool the areas of your home. As a result, it runs for extended periods of time, consuming more energy and driving up your energy costs.
- System failure: When a filter gets clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris, an HVAC system needs to work hard to force air through. If the device breaks down as a result of the constant load on it, you will have to pay for costly repairs or replacements, as well as spend time without the use of your system’s heating or cooling capabilities.
- Health issues: Dust and allergens can spread throughout your home if a filter isn’t functioning correctly, leading to allergies and respiratory problems.
When it comes to the comfort and the health of yourself, your family, and your system, don’t risk it. For help with your system or more information, contact the knowledgeable experts at The Otter Guys today.
Changing Your Air Filter
A few factors should be taken into account when it’s time to buy new air filters for your HVAC system. The most important thing to do is to determine the exact size you want. The right specs may be found by consulting your equipment handbook or by looking at the size of the filter you already have. HVAC filters are frequently found in a slot near your air handler or furnace.
However, some air conditioning systems feature filters spread throughout your home’s several rooms’ return air ducts. Selecting the appropriate filtration level for your house and system is also important. In most cases, pleated filters are preferable to non-pleated ones because they have greater surface area to gather dust, pet hair, and other airborne particles.
Contact Us
For maximum comfort and services that won’t break the bank, contact us today. At The Otter Guys, we provide expert advice and trustworthy services to ensure our customers remain cool throughout the summer and warm once the cold sets in. We also provide plumbing and emergency services. So, don’t suffer another second with a malfunctioning system or a clogged drain or pipe. Call us now, and we will help your home and system return to normal as quickly as possible!