Many homeowners assume that as long as their air conditioner turns on and cools the air to the right temperature, the unit is in working order. However, your air conditioner could wear out without your even knowing about it if you don't perform small maintenance tasks like changing the air filter.
Over time, failing to change the air filter can decrease your home's air quality. A dirty filter will also put more strain on your air conditioner, wearing out the unit faster and reducing energy efficiency.
If this is the first you've heard of changing your air filter or just need more information, keep reading. We'll tell you everything you need to know about your air conditioner's filter, including how often you should change it, what it removes from the air and what else you can do to make sure your AC system lasts as long as it can.
As your air conditioner circulates air around your house, it picks up particles of dust, mould and dirt that sweep through the system. The air filter's job is to remove those particles from the air so it can cycle clean, fresh air through your house all day long. The air filter also keeps the unit itself clean so it can work as efficiently as possible.
In general, you should change your air filter at least once every three months. However, during the peak summer months when your air conditioner runs more frequently, you should make a mental note to check the filter's condition every month. You should also change the filter more often if you have pets like cats or dogs that shed more during the summer.
You'll need to check and change the filter even more often if you or any of your family members, especially your children, suffer from allergies or asthma. Along with changing your kids' sheets every week or two and vacuuming several times a week to remove dust, check your HVAC filter every two weeks to a month so you can keep your kids as safe and healthy as possible.
If you forget to change your filter after three months and wait until four have gone by, you won't notice any major effects unless you have a child with asthma or allergies. However, if you fail to change your filter for months or even years, you can expect consequences like:
- More frequent visits from HVAC technicians who have to perform expensive repairs
- More wear and tear on your unit and more frequent replacement
- Worse indoor air quality that can impact even healthy family members' lungs over time
- Greater mould build-up, especially if you live in a humid area
- Rising energy bills as your unit becomes less and less efficient
Replacing your air filter frequently offers nothing but positive benefits. Set a goal today to keep a careful eye on your HVAC unit's air filter so you can keep your air clean, protect your family members' health and extend your air conditioner's lifespan while improving its energy efficiency.
Changing your filter frequently is the easiest way to make sure your air conditioner runs effectively and circulates clean air, but you should take a few more steps for your unit to work as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Along with changing your filter, you should:
- Schedule annual visits from an HVAC professional who can tune up and repair your AC system as needed
- Upgrade to a new unit if yours is a decade and a half to two decades old
- Make repairs sooner rather than later to reduce strain on your unit
Need a local professional who can perform the above services? At Cool Air Conditioning Pty Ltd, we help our customers save money and energy on their air conditioning units. Get in touch with us
to schedule an emergency visit, routine tune-up or service upgrade.
