All homeowners know that replacing your air filters regularly is important, but how often do you actually remember to change them out? If you’re behind on changing your air filter, you’re not alone. Most experts suggest replacing your filter once every 30-90 days depending on your filter type and system, but the majority of households in the US don’t abide by these guidelines. Only 18% of Americans change their air filter once a month, while 31% of households change it once every few months.
With spring on the horizon, March is the perfect opportunity to change your filter, especially if you’ve been putting it off through the long, harsh winter months. Replacing your filter is quick and painless, and the longer you leave your dirty filter in place, the more likely you’ll experience system damage and health issues. Here, we’ll list the benefits of changing your air filter this spring.
Improved energy efficiency
A clogged air filter hinders the airflow in your home, so your air conditioner and furnace have to put in twice as much effort for your air to flow properly. A strained, harder working system will inflate your energy bills, not to mention your carbon footprint. By replacing your filter, you can help lower your energy costs and reduce your environmental impact.
Better indoor air quality
Since your home’s air circulates through your filter, a dirty filter means you’re regularly breathing in pollutants. Dust, pollen, pet dander, viruses, bacteria, and more get trapped in your filter and spread through your house. These pollutants can lead to health problems like asthma, allergies, and respiratory issues. A new filter replaced regularly, especially filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 5 or above or a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, will significantly improve your home’s air quality so your family stays healthy.
Cleaner home
Air filters collect dust and debris, so the more often you change your filter, the less dirt, hair, and other buildup will be present in your home. Likewise, the more often you dust and vacuum your home, the less dirt will accumulate in your filter, allowing you to go longer between replacements. While you’re working on your spring cleaning, adding a filter replacement to your to-do list will help keep your home hygienic and fresh.
Lower maintenance costs
Grimy, clogged filters can cause damage to your HVAC system. By not changing your filter on a regular basis, you’ll likely end up spending lots of time and money on maintenance and repair. Neglect is one of the primary causes of HVAC system failure, so if you ignore your filter for too long, you could experience an expensive, inconvenient breakdown. Regular filter replacement prevents unwanted damage and helps extend the life of your system.
Change your filter and breathe easier
If you’ve been procrastinating or have forgotten to check it for some time, the beginning of spring is an excellent occasion to replace your filter so you can start breathing clean, fresh air in your home. Give your home a reset with a replacement filter and check it regularly for dirt and buildup to keep your system in good condition.
Enlisting a professional to check your filter at least once a month is ideal for keeping your air clean and your system functioning properly. Need assistance with inspecting or changing your air filter? Reach out to our skilled technicians at Expert HVAC Services today.
