It is essential to know that replacing the filter regularly in your air conditioning unit keeps it working properly and energy bills low. It is one of the major tasks that many homeowner forget about for months at a time that can send your energy bill skyrocketing and potentially contribute to some maintenance issues down the line.
Factors at play
If your filter does not indicate when it should be changed, here are some essential factors to consider when deciding how often to change it:
- Any construction or remodeling in your house
- The overall air quality in your home
- Number of occupants in the house
- The type of filter that your air conditioner requires
- If there are pets in the home
Moreover, when you have more contaminants in the home, from pets, people, or activities, air filters should be changed more often.
How often to change home air filters?
It is a general recommendation that you change your air filter in your home every 30 days when you are using less expensive fiberglass filters. It is essential to know that high-end pleated filters can also last as long as 6 months. However, these typical guidelines assume average use and don’t take into account the size or type of filter.
However, as a general rule, it is suggested to replace pleated air filters and furnace filters in the home every 90 days. It is essential to keep in mind that the longer the filter is in place, the more dirt and allergens are trapped clogging the filter. It also decreases the efficiency of the AC unit.
If you notoriously forget to change your air filter, you are not alone. The daily life is so busy, and many homeowners forget to do this simple maintenance task. Along with this, how often there is a need to change the air filter depends on a variety of factors. If you have not changed your AC filter in a long time, here is the description of some major signs or clues to replace the air filter.
The air conditional unit is very hot
One of the clear signs that your AC filter requires replacing is when the back of the unit is too hot. If the AC filter is very dirty, you can also feel warm air coming out of the back of the unit. It is essential to know that a clogged filter forces the air conditioner to work harder in order to keep the house cool. It will also lead to more frequent AC repair and, ultimately, shorten the lifespan of the unit.
The air is not cold enough
It is essential to know that you can also attribute reduced HVAC efficiency to various problems. However, if you notice that the air conditioner is not cooling or is blowing warm air, the primary thing you should check is the AC filter because a dirty air filter won’t allow that refreshing cool air to pass through.
The electricity bill has increased
If you feel that the electricity bill starts to creeping higher, it is something difficult to determine the cause. Keep in mind that it could be a faulty appliance or a poorly functioning AC system. However, if the electric bill is higher than normal, the culprit can be a dirty air filter, and keeping your HVAC system well-maintained also helps it operate more efficiently. In this way, you can lower energy bills.
If your can also be one significant reason that indicates you should change air filters. It is essential to keep in mind that dust pollen or pet dander cling to the air filter. However, when the filter becomes saturated with these pollutants, they’ll get blown out and circulated in the air throughout the home. In this way, you will suffer the misery of allergy attacks more frequently.
