It’s Time to Change Your HVAC Air Filter (Again)!

As a general contractor in Irondale, AL, we have to learn extensively about every system in your home, including your central air unit.

You’d be surprised to learn that one of the most common causes for HVAC system malfunction is people chronically forgetting to change their filters regularly.

We know there are no one-size-fits-all guidelines for when you should change your HVAC air filter, but this doesn’t mean that it is not important. In fact, changing your air filter regularly is probably the single most important thing you can do to keep your family healthy.

When should you change it?

The basic rule is that whenever the air filter looks dirty, you should change it. You shouldn’t wait until it’s filthy, however. Essentially, if you can see any dirt at all, it’s probably dirty enough to change it. The filters are designed to trap the particles within their fibers, so once the dirt is built up enough to be visible on the outer layers of the filter, it’s time to change it.

Change it more often if you have allergies

If you have allergies, you should change your air filter far more regularly than other people. When you have allergies, you react negatively to things such as dust and pollen, even when they’re at levels that are otherwise safe for people without allergies. Keeping your filters regularly changed will make any allergy sufferer in your home happier. Additionally, consider using a filter designed to catch smaller particles—these filters are specifically designed for allergy sufferers.

Change it more often if you have pets

Your pets bring with them a lot of dander, hair and dust, just like you do. But additionally, their lungs can be sensitive. All animals are essentially designed to be outside, and the pollutants inside and outside are totally different—not just the hair and dust, but the chemicals that off-gas from your carpet, refrigerant from your refrigerator and air conditioner, etc. Regularly changing your air filter means you’re doing everything you can to protect your lungs and your animals’ lungs.

Change your filter if you notice your energy bills going up

A clogged filter can increase your HVAC unit’s energy consumption by almost 10 percent. If you notice that your energy bills are higher than usual, check your air filter before trying other solutions. Also remember that dirty filters make your system have to work harder. If you regularly let your air filters get clogged over and over, you can take years off the life of your system.

If you’re having problems with your HVAC unit, give us a call here at Metro Contractors Inc. We are a family-owned and operated general contractor in Irondale, AL, and unlike many of our general contractor competitors, we use only the best products, and offer the best prices around. We can do it all—build room additions, sunrooms, new roofing, flooring, painting, etc. So if you’ve got any home-related job that needs doing, give our expert team a call today!

Categorised in: General Contractor in Irondale

This post was written by Writer