Out of all the components in your home’s HVAC system, your air filter might seem the least important. In reality, though, your air filter plays an essential role in how your system operates efficiently. Changing them out is a common aspect of maintenance that often gets overlooked. But forgetting about your air filter can lead to some serious problems. So, how often should you change your filter? We’ll walk you through those answers and more; just read on.
If you need affordable AC service in Waxahachie, TX, Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is here to help. Our team of licensed HVAC specialists is on-call for anything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs. Get in touch today at 972-291-0740.
The Truth: How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?
If you don’t even know where your air filter is, chances are you need to change it. That’s one of the huge benefits of having a professional come and maintain your system regularly. Not only can they catch problems before they become costly repairs, but they can take care of the little things like clearing debris, cleaning your system and, of course, changing your air filter.
But if you’re looking to tackle this yourself, it happens to be one of the easiest maintenance tasks you can handle. Okay, so how often should you change your filter? In most cases, 30 to 90 days seems to be the general timeframe. This is going to depend on what type of filter you are using and your system.
Some manufacturers claim their filters can outlast others. While sometimes this is true, you want to be careful which filters you purchase. Some brands might advertise things like extra filtration protection for allergens and dust. Often, these types of filters are much harder to move air through. This can cause your system to perform poorly and inefficiently. If you’ve got questions, make sure to get a hold of your local AC service in Waxahachie TX.
How to Change Your Air Filter
Changing your air filter is incredibly easy. It’s one of the simplest ways you can help maintain your HVAC system and keep your home comfortable all year long. Often, the hardest part is finding the location of your filter. More often than not, it’s somewhere quite obvious. If it’s not, you can always ask your local technician who services your home. They’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Once you’ve found the location, follow these steps to change your filter:
- Make sure you’ve got the right size filter — A good strategy is to go off the measurements of the old filter. Manufacturers usually print this information on the edge of the filter frame.
- Turn off your unit — Make sure you flip the switch on your thermostat and your system isn’t running.
- Remove the grille cover for the filter — If your filter is located in the system’s handler, you may need to open the access panel. You also may need a screwdriver to remove some types of grilles.
- Remove the old filter and insert the new filter — When changing out the filter, make sure you’ve taken note of how the older filter fits into the space. Also, make sure that the airflow arrows on the filter are pointing in the correct direction.
- Replace the grille cover and turn your system back on — Always check for strange noises or anything else that might indicate something is wrong.
Why Changing Your Air Filter is Important
When it comes to proper HVAC maintenance, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. If your system keeps on pumping out the cool air, you have nothing to worry about, right? Our home’s air conditioning system is usually an out of sight out of mind kind of home appliance. It only gets most people’s attention when something goes wrong.
If you want to prevent costly repairs down the road, you’ll need to start taking preventative and regular maintenance seriously. That means changing the air filter regularly and having professionals come and perform routine inspections, including a yearly visit.
Your filter is the first line of defense against dirt and debris from getting into the system. That’s the filter’s main job. Some people might think that the filter is for our benefit, and sometimes that’s true. More often than not, though, your air filter’s main purpose is to protect your main unit from dirt and debris causing damage. Here are some scenarios that could occur if you fail to properly maintain and change your filter on time.
Blower Fan Issues
If you haven’t changed your air filter in the last few months, you can probably expect some caked-on dirt and grime. Your HVAC system might still be working properly, but a lot more is happening behind the scenes.
First of all, the blower fan is having to work that much harder to keep things running. That not only means more energy consumption but also more wear and tear on the inner components. As you can probably imagine, this is not great for the blower. It can lead to higher monthly energy costs and even premature failure of the component.
Other Issues
While the blower fan seems to get the brunt of the air filter issues, that’s not the only problem you may have to handle. Another issue is how a dirty air filter affects your system’s performance. It not only means higher electricity bills but also means your home isn’t as comfortable.
Additionally, all that dirt and debris on the filter are prime locations for moisture. Moisture leads to mold growth — which is the last thing you want to tackle. It’s not only dangerous, but a pain to resolve.
Where to Find Quality Air Conditioning Repair in Waxahachie, TX
If you’re on the hunt for the best AC service in Waxahachie, TX, make sure to give the team at Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Heating and Cooling a call. Our team of qualified HVAC technicians can handle any job you need doing. Reach out online to schedule an appointment.
Author Bio:
Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock
Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating is now owned and operated by Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock, with his grandson, Daniel Johnson, a third-generation plumber who is also the Service Manager.