Changing the filter on your air conditioner (AC) unit is the one routine maintenance task that every homeowner or renter should do on a regular basis. It’s easy, accessible, and absolutely necessary. But it’s also one of the most often forgotten tasks because “out of sight, out of mind” is a universal truth.
If you’ve ever looked at an old, dirty air filter, you probably have some idea about how important this simple task can be. A clean filter won’t lower the efficiency of your AC, affect energy costs, and potentially reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system.
But just how often should the filter be changed? This number varies depending on your AC and the conditions you live in. How often to change your furnace filter is something we can help you determine for your Apache Junction home’s best AC performance.
What Does a Furnace Filter Do?
Furnace filters are made of fiberglass, cotton, and wire mesh that together act to catch airborne particles. Dust, bacteria, mold spores, microorganism, and allergens all get caught in the furnace filter instead of cycling through your HVAC units and ductwork blowing back out into your house. It keeps the inside of your AC and furnace units clean and dust-free (preventing frost buildup in the AC and burning dust in the furnace), reduces buildup in your ductwork, and increases overall indoor air quality in your home.
However, a clogged furnace filter can do damage over time and increase your energy bills.
How Often You Should Change Your Furnace Filter
The typical answer to “How often to change a furnace filter” is between 30 to 90 days. AKA: one to three months, depending on the particle density inside your home. If your home is dusty, full of airborne contaminants or you are sensitive to air contaminants, change it more often (closer to once a month) for cleaner air and better HVAC performance.
Filter Change Schedule if You Have Pets
Homes with one or more pets should change their air filter more often. This is because pets naturally produce a higher degree of dander, fur, and microorganisms that can and should be filtered out of the air. You will find yourself sneezing and cleaning up after your pets less often with an efficient and frequently changed furnace filter, and your AC/Furnace will run more efficiently without extra dust or dander in the unit.
In other words, households with pets should change their furnace filter once a month.
What Happens if I Don’t Change My Furnace Filter?
When a furnace filter needs to be changed, it becomes clogged. Even though the fibers that catch particles are full, your HVAC keeps pulling air through with the blower fan. Using too much electricity causes the AC/furnace to work harder as it pulls air through a clogged filter.
Dust is pulled through into your HVAC units, causing three types of problems:
- Dust forms an insulating layer over your cooling coils, which causes frost to build up and damage the unit
- Dust gets into your furnace, which causes a burnt dust smell
- Dust builds up in your ducts, which reduces airflow and causes dust reintroduction all year
Poor indoor air quality is another major concern to be aware of; it can come from reduced air circulation, reduced efficiency, and extra contaminants in the air.
Unfortunately, starting to change your HVAC filter at the right pace won’t solve all these problems. You’ll need cleaning and tune-up to repair any damage already caused by leaving a dirty filter in your intake for too long.
Regular Furnace Tune-ups for Peace of Mind
One of the best ways to make sure your HVAC is getting the care it needs to perform cleanly, efficiently and provide high air quality is to invest in a routine maintenance service. Superstition Cooling can provide this for any home in Apache Junction and surrounding areas by sending HVAC technicians to inspect, clean, and provide preemptive repairs for your AC and furnace. They will also tell you if your filter needs to be changed more often or if you’re changing it at the right pace and help to reverse any damage caused by a long period using an unchanged furnace filter.
Contact the Furnace Repair & Maintenance Pros in Apache Junction
If your AC/ furnace has been running with the same air filter for too long and you’re worried about your HVAC’s performance and air quality, contact us today. We will gladly provide an estimate for a furnace tune-up and maintenance services for your Apache Junction home. Superstition Cooling has the expertise and dedication to keep your home cycling clean and comfortable air all year long.
Image credit: Serenethos