If you keep up on regular AC repairs and maintenance, your HVAC unit should serve you well for many years without any major problems. To enjoy lower utility costs and better indoor air quality, it’s important that your unit runs as smoothly as possible. An easy task you can do to keep up with HVAC Maintenance is to learn to change the air filter and how often it needs to be changed.
When Does the Filter Need to be Changed?
Most standard, fiberglass air filters need to be changed every one to three months. Some, however, that are made from higher-end pleated filters can wait up to 6 months before they need to be replaced.
With that in mind, why is it important to change your HVAC filter regularly? And what happens if you wait too long?
Dust, dirt, and other allergens can start to circulate and disperse into your interior air if you put off the change. When the dust and dirt don’t disperse into the air, they still collect in the filter, reducing the HVAC’s efficiency. You can also end up having your heater blow cold air due to the clogged filter.
Typically, you can purchase a filter at any hardware or superstore, but keep in mind, that not all units require the same size of filter. Make sure before you go to purchase on that you know what size you’ll need.
What Factors into The Filter’s Timetable?
Though the standard one to three months is ideal for filter replacement, there are circumstances where more frequent changes are necessary. Owning pets is one of the most common factors. If you desire a clean home, you should plan to change the filter every two months. Pets are typically prone to shedding hair and dander which gets trapped in the filter very easily. You should also replace your filter more often if your home has poor outdoor or indoor air quality. You should search furnace repair near me.
Additionally, you’ll need to replace your air filter before their lifespan if you run your HVAC system constantly. If you see a layer of dust and debris on the filter, it probably means it’s a good time to change it.
How to Change an HVAC Filter
Now that you know how often you need to replace your HVAC filter, it’s time to learn how to actually do it.
- Once you have the correct filter purchased, turn off your unit.
- Locate the filter and remove the cover or grill. This may require a screwdriver to accomplish.
- Then, remove the old filter. Be sure to take note of how it was installed.
- Place the new filter in. Make sure that the airflow arrows on the filter are pointing into the unit.
- You’re now ready to turn the power back on and make sure the system is working properly!