REASONS TO CHANGE YOUR FURNACE FILTER FREQUENTLY
Your furnace’s air filters are vital to your Los Molinos home’s health, safety, and wellness, especially during the winter. They capture airborne pollutants that circulate in your home, improving the air quality in your home. Most HVAC experts agree that you should change your furnace filter every one to three months. We base the range on the season, your air quality, and the health of the people in your home.
Replacing a furnace filter is a relatively straightforward process. The following are reasons why you should be diligent when it comes to changing out furnace filters.
CLEAN FURNACE FILTERS MAINTAIN HEALTHY AIR QUALITY
Good air filters improve indoor air quality by removing allergens and pollutants and minimizing dust buildup. There are as many potentially dangerous pollutants inside your home as there are outside. The contaminants in your home fall under gaseous pollutants or particulate matter.
Frequently replacing a quality air filter in your furnace increases indoor air quality. Air filter maintenance also prevents particulates from damaging your home’s furnishings, electronics, and structure.
Changing your air filter regularly is essential because it has a set capacity for trapping particles. Dangerous particles will find their way into your home when the air filter runs out of capacity.
With time, dirty filters become a source of indoor pollution. The dust that accumulates in the filters is the perfect breeding ground for microbial colonies. This is especially true in warmer climates like Los Molinos.
Once your filter reaches its particulate capacity, air will find a different path to flow into your return ducts. It will search for the path of least resistance, sneaking in through any gaps around the filter frame. The particulates that get around the filter will contaminate the burner and other components, impacting indoor air quality.
Dirty air filters can implode. The increased operating pressure can warp the filter’s frame. Eventually, the filter will rip and let dust into the ductwork. In addition to negatively affecting your air quality, an air filter blowout can cause serious furnace maintenance issues.
CLEAN FURNACE FILTERS EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE HVAC UNIT
A new HVAC system can cost you thousands of dollars. Professional maintenance can help it last longer, and save you money in the long run.
Not changing a dirty air filter could damage your heat exchanger. A clogged air filter negatively impacts your house’s airflow and your HVAC system. Without sufficient fresh air, your heat exchanger will overheat and deactivate. This leads to short cycling issues, making it harder to keep your home warm.
Dirty furnace filters force your furnace to work harder than usual because of decreased airflow. The more your furnace works, the quicker parts break down and the more maintenance and repairs you need. This will drastically shorten your HVAC unit’s life in the long run.
REGULARLY REPLACING FURNACE FILTERS CAN DECREASE YOUR ENERGY BILL
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), frequently replacing dirty filters can reduce your HVAC energy consumption by up to 15%. For most homes, HVAC expenses are responsible for up to 50% of their home’s energy use. This means that clean filters can save you up to 7.5% on your energy bill.
If your monthly bill is $100, you could save up to $7.5 each month. If your energy bill is $300 or $400, you could be looking at savings of up to $30 each month. It is a worthwhile investment to replace your furnace filters frequently.
WHEN SHOULD YOUR FURNACE FILTER BE REPLACED?
You should usually replace your furnace filter every three months, even during summer. However, certain factors impact how frequently you have your furnace filters changed.
The location of your home is another critical factor. A furnace in a house situated in the city will collect debris faster than those in rural areas. This is because city life, including heavy traffic, creates more air particles for your filter to clean.
Your furnace is not working hard during the summer season, if at all. However, during the winter, your furnace is working hard to keep your home warm. This means your filter will get dirtier faster. You may need to change the filter more frequently during winter.
Pet hair and dander can collect in your furnace filter. The more pets you have and the more they shed, the more frequently you need to replace your furnace filters.
Also, consider how healthy your family is when deciding on when to replace your filter. If you or someone in your home has allergies or asthma, changing the filter more often could help minimize symptoms.
You may notice that your furnace runs more frequently than it did in previous months. If so, look at the filter. If you see lots of dust and lint, then it’s probably time for a replacement.
HVAC AND PLUMBING PROFESSIONALS WITH STELLAR REPUTATIONS
Since the late 1980s, Gallagher’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning has been proudly serving the greater Sacramento area. If you have an AC question, we have an answer for you.
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