When Is The Right Time To Change Your Air Filters?
Regular HVAC maintenance, part of which includes changing the unit’s filters, is part of responsible home ownership. Taking care of this task will not only keep the system running smoothly, but also ensure the house remains comfortable. That said, not many homeowners know how frequently they actually need to replace their air filters. This is because there are no clearly-defined guidelines here. For this reason, you might want to familiarize yourself with some of the things that indicate when your filters need changing.
When Do You Need To Swap Out Your Air Filters?
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The presence of dirt on your filters is perhaps the most important thing to look out for when trying to figure out when to change them. But there are also other things you need to keep in mind, including:
- Filter type: Filters differ from each other in several ways. This includes factors like thickness, material from which they’re made and their form (panel vs pleated). While some can last up to 6 months, others need to be changed monthly. Choosing a cheap filter for your home means you’ll have to replace it more often. This is why you should you should always prioritize quality over the need to save money. This way, you’ll end up saving more in the long term.
- Other factors: Factors that determine how frequently your air filters will need changing include the presence of household pets. Also, the presence of elements that affect air quality affect air filters. For instance, homeowners who live in an area with construction activity usually have to swap theirs more often.
- Packaging: When you purchase a filter, there should be some information on the packaging. It indicates when it’ll have to be replaced. Still, it should be remembered that such instructions are usually generic. This means you will need to figure out when to change yours, taking the above factors in consideration.
Choosing The Best Air Filter
The size of your equipment determines what kind of filter you’ll need to buy. Other determinants include how much you’re willing to spend as well as the kind of contaminants you’re trying to filter. To be honest, knowing this may not make it any easier to find the right one. However, you can take comfort in the fact that there’s already a filter installed within the system. Besides, your system’s manual should specify the exact type you should be purchasing.
Don’t forget to check the size of filter suitable for your unit. For this purpose, measuring the size of the element’s opening is the best way to find out. You should also look for appropriate devices if you has allergies or asthma or many pets. In such a case, you might want to purchase the more expensive, high-efficiency filters. These filters will keep pet dander and allergens out of your household.
A Rule Of Thumb
Most homeowners opt to change their filters at the beginning of a new season. Others, on the other hand, go above and beyond to change theirs once every month. This is just to be on the safe side. Although there’s no definitive rule for how often to swap filters. Most experts recommend doing so at least once a month.
You might, however, want to replace yours sooner if it seems to get too dirty too quickly. Also keep in mind that the filters may not have the ability to do their job efficiently if they’re dirty. In such cases, the clogged-up filters will usually force the systems to work harder than is really necessary. This eventually leads to breakdowns and higher energy consumption. Equipment manufacturers and HVAC experts thus stress that they should never be left unchanged when they are dirty. Furthermore, be sure to schedule annual A/C tune-up to ensure that your system runs as efficiently as possible. This, in combo with changing your air filters, truly makes a difference on your cooling costs.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Toms River NJ
General air conditioner maintenance and air filter replacement can not only prevent system downtime, but also keep your household comfortable. So do yourself and your AC system a favor, always remember to change your air filters. A good HVAC company should have the ability to replace yours. Therefore, be sure to look for a reputable one within your area. Call them to schedule a service visit.
Point Bay Fuel offers expert heating and cooling services. This includes HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installations. Let our NATE certified technicians use their skills and experience to service your heater or air conditioner. Call us today to speak to one of our home comfort specialists.
We service Bayville NJ 08721, Beachwood NJ 08722, Brick NJ 08723, Island Heights NJ 08732, Lanoka Harbor NJ 08734, Lavallette NJ 08735, Mantoloking NJ 08738, Normandy Beach NJ 08739, Ocean Gate NJ 08740, Pine Beach NJ 08741, Seaside Heights NJ 08751, Seaside Park NJ 08752, Toms River NJ 08753, and surrounding areas.
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