Air filters are a central part of your HVAC unit. All of the air handled through your HVAC system must be passed through your air filter first.
Your air filter catches debris, dust, dander, mold, etc. Over time, your air filter becomes more dense. If you don’t regularly change your air filter, the air cannot pass through properly.
Air filters are the first line of defense against pollen, dust, and other allergens that can potentially cause severe health damage to you and your family. In addition, failing to change your air filter can cause extensive damage to your AC system. It’s important to regularly change your air filter to ensure the longevity of your system, prevent unnecessary damage, and ensure your air is clean and healthy.
10 Reasons Why It’s Crucial to Change Your Air Filter Regularly:
- Your HVAC system has to work much harder to push out air. This leads to higher energy bills and more energy being used.
- It puts strain on your HVAC, so your unit’s lifespan may decrease.
- Your home is not as comfortable. If your air filter is dirty, cool air is not being pushed evenly throughout your home.
- Your AC may fail to blow out cold air. If your AC is failing to blow out cold air, you may need to change your air filter.
- Your fan motor is having to work extra hard.
- When air filters are dirty, your temperature sensor in your HVAC system might not be receiving the correct signals. This causes your unit to improperly power on or off.
- Your HVAC system can overheat or freeze.
- Your energy bills will be higher, but there will be not change in temperature.
- It causes moisture to build up which can lead to mold and bacteria growth. This distributes pollutants and allergens throughout your home, which can make you, your family, and your pets very sick.
- If you don’t change your air filter, your ducts will get built up with residue. Changing your air filter is much easier than a duct cleaning.
How Often to Change Air Filter?
The simple answer to “how often should I change my air filter?” is every 1.5-2 months. If you have allergies, you should change your air filter once a month.
Is your air filter pleated or non-pleated?
How often to change your air filter depends on if your air filter is pleated or non-pleated.
Pleated Air Filter vs Non-Pleated Air Filter:
“I have a pleated air filter.” If you have a pleated air filter, you should change your pleated air filter every 1.5-3 months.
“I have a non-pleated air filter.” If you have a non-pleated air filter, you may have lower energy costs, but you will need to change them more often. You should change your non-pleated air filter every 1-2 months.
In addition, how often you should change your air filter is dependent on a few factors:
- How many people live in your house?
- Do you have pets? How many?
- Do you or anyone in your home suffer from allergies?
- How large is your home?
- Is it an apartment, vacation home, or house?
- Is there air pollution or construction around where you live?
Follow this guide for how often to change your air filter:
“I have an average home without pets”— every 3 months
“I have an average home with pets”— every 2 months
“I have a home with allergies and pets”— every month
“I own a vacation home”— one or two times a year
If you don’t change your air filter, your HVAC has to work harder, which causes you to spend more money and energy, plus your HVAC’s lifespan decreases. In addition, it can cause health problems.
If You’re in the Metro-Atlanta area, Call the HVAC Contractors at Fritts Heat and Air
At Fritts Heat and Air, we provide 24/7 air conditioning repair services, thermostat repair, heating and cooling installation, business and home AC repair, and more. We also offer affordable HVAC service with our HVAC financing plans.
Fritts Heat and Air provides homeowners and business owners with quality products and services and reliable solutions to fulfill your heating and cooling needs. Contact us online or call us at (678) 327-3897 to get your AC running back to normal ASAP!