We talk a lot about air filters on this blog. We often discuss how to change them, when to change them, and what exactly you’re changing. You can probably tell from reading our blog every few weeks that we really care about homeowners changing their air filters and ensuring they’re taking proper care of their central air conditioning in Los Angeles, CA.
But there’s just one thing we’ve overlooked. And that’s why you’re supposed to change your air filter regularly. Sure, you might know what the air filter is, you’ve replaced it once or twice, but what the heck is the point? Why keep changing your air filter regularly if you don’t know the purpose of it?
Well, this blog post is for you! Let’s nip this in the bud and discuss why it’s so important that an air filter be not just changed, but get changed regularly!
The Purpose of the Air Filter
The air filter in your central air conditioner or heating system is an important component. The interior parts of your HVAC system are sensitive, and even a little bit of dust, dirt, debris, or pet dander can harm the heating or cooling process tremendously. They can dirty coils, cause rumbling in your furnace, and eventually lead to poor efficiency, poor comfort levels, and just a generally broken HVAC system.
The air filter is the first line of defense when trying to keep your system in good shape. As long as there’s a filter in the way, those nasty contaminants won’t get anywhere near the sensitive interior components and you’ll enjoy high-efficiency comfort for years to come.
Also, the air filter in your HVAC system will clean your air as a byproduct. By protecting your HVAC system from contaminants, it’s also inadvertently protecting your indoor air from contaminants as well. Isn’t that cool?
What Does “Regularly” Mean?
When we say that you need to change your air filter regularly, we’re talking about a very specific time frame. Normally, this just means you should be changing your air filter every 1-3 months. This is usually good enough to protect your air filter from getting too clogged up without being a hassle for your busy family. However, there are two caveats to this.
- If your HVAC system is running heavily during extreme weather conditions like a heatwave or a cold spike, then you might want to change the filter monthly. This is because the system is cycling through more air and more contaminants are being captured as a result.
- If it’s been an exceptionally mild season where your HVAC system has barely been running at all, then you can change the filter every 3 months. Just be sure not to forget about it!
What Can Go Wrong?
The bottom line is that forgetting to change your air filter regularly can lead to AC or heater system neglect. Your HVAC system could start to buckle under the immense pressure of trying to get air through a clogged filter. This could lead to an increase in energy or fuel bills, damaged interior components, and worse comfort control in your home.
Call JMS Air Conditioning and Heating if you have any questions about your air filter.
