While it can be easy not to think about, there are three good reasons why you might need to change your AC/heating filter more often than you currently do. Keep in mind that different HVAC filters are rated for different usage spans. The majority are rated for 1, 3, 6 months. If your filter is rated 1 month, you’ll want to change it every month, year-round.
However, because conditions in every home and individual AC/heating system are unique, even if your filter is rated for 3 or 6 months, we recommend checking it at least once a month and changing it as needed if it’s dirty. Here are three reasons why changing your filter more often can be beneficial.
1. HVAC Systems Can Last Longer with Clean AC/Heating Filters
When the filter is clean, your heater and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard as when the filter is dirty. An excessively dirty filter allows more dust and particulates to work their way into the delicate parts of your AC/heating system, which can lead to overheating and other problems. In the long term, this can significantly shorten the lifespan of your system. It’s much less expensive to regularly replace filters than to replace an entire AC/heating system.
GVEC of Gonzales, TX, offers heater and air conditioner maintenance services, including our twice yearly HVAC Spec Check maintenance plan and our one-time Check-N-Save® maintenance checkup. Both of these services include inspection of your AC/heating filter and replacement as needed.
2. Using Clean AC/Heating Filters Can Significantly Lower Energy Costs
Running your AC/heating system with a dirty filter won’t just decrease its lifespan, but will also make the system use more energy to cool or heat your home. Heating and cooling makes up half of the monthly energy bill for the average home anyway, and running the system on a dirty filter can lead to higher bills. You can potentially save money on energy bills, then, by replacing a dirty filter every month.
3. Healthier Indoor Air
The job of your AC/heating filter isn’t just to prevent dust, dirt, dust mites, pollen, and other particles from building up in the delicate parts of your system. The filter also helps prevent these particulates from circulating into your living space reducing indoor air quality. This is why if you have pets it’s especially important to check the filter every month and change it if you see excessive amounts of dander and hair collecting in it.
For Healthier Indoor Air, Call the HVAC Experts at GVEC
Healthy air is important for everyone, but especially those who have allergies, asthma or other conditions that can be aggravated by indoor pollution. Dirty air can cause eye irritation, respiratory issues, sneezing, dizziness and more. A clean filter can help prevent dust, dirt, mold and other irritants from circulating into your indoor air.
FOr over five decades, GVEC has been helping homeowners throughout South Central Texas with their heating and cooling needs. We can repair, replace and perform maintenance on a range of heating and cooling systems. We also offer Wi-Fi connected smart and learning thermostats from Nest® and ecobee, ductless systems, electrician and solar services, and in-duct air quality solutions from Micropure® and Reme® that go beyond the filtering capabilities of standard AC/heating filters. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us at 877.466.5506.
