Furnace filters provide a valuable service to the air quality in your home. This is especially true if you have pets or if you're an allergy sufferer. As the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system circulates the air through your home, your furnace filters trap all kinds of nasty stuff in the air that you don't want floating around the house: mold, dust, pet dander and fur—even bacteria and viruses. But when your filter is old and dirty, it doesn't work as efficiently to capture these unpleasant particles.
How Often Should I Change my Furnace Filters?
You should check your filter once a month. If it's clogged with dirt, consider changing it right away. Most experts recommend changing your filter every 2-3 months, depending on the type of filter, the age of your HVAC system, and the amount of dust you have in your house (as well as the number of pets).
What Filters Should I Buy?
Your particular HVAC unit will have manufacturer recommendations for filters, but you'll want to consider the number of people and pets in your home, as well as local environmental conditions such as whether you live in a wet or dry climate. There's a significant price range on furnace filters, from low-cost fiberglass ones that are great at stopping large particles such as fur and common dust, to special electrostatic filters designed to trap minute particles such as mold spores, bacteria and viruses. These filters can add to the cost of your annual energy bill, but if these sorts of particulates are a concern for you, consider using the advanced filters.
What Happens if I Don't Change my Filters as Often as I Should?
First of all, a dirty filter can restrict airflow through that part of the house, and those rooms aren't cooled or heated efficiently. This can definitely lead to higher monthly energy bills as the furnace or A/C unit works harder to keep the home at a desired temperature.
When you breathe dirty air, the fine hairs in your nose help filter all the nasty stuff from getting into your lungs. Similarly, an air filter keeps junk from clogging up the machinery of your HVAC unit. If you're not changing your filter regularly, not only are you breathing dirtier air, but the dust and dirt can accumulate in your HVAC unit, leading to quicker wear and tear on the system, and possibly expensive maintenance or outright replacement.
There are some steps you can take to examine your HVAC unit to make sure dirt isn't building up in your system, but if you don't want to do it yourself, call an Olathe HVAC company, such as Davenport Services, to do the job right.
Founded in 1980, Davenport Service Company has provided "Customer First" service in Johnson County, Kansas for over three decades. We provide 24/7 emergency service, preventive maintenance service, and seasonal tune-ups for commercial and residential heating and air conditioning systems. Call 913-441-2222 for hassle-free scheduling today!
