Investing in preventive maintenance for your heating and air conditioning system is an often overlooked but important task. It is especially crucial to do so right before winter sets in – when the furnace will be in a state of intense activity. One such inexpensive yet necessary investment you should be making is to swap out your furnace filter for a new one periodically.
As temperatures begin to drop, inspecting your furnace air filter might be the last thing on your mind. But you should – at least once every 1 to 3 months. If you’re puzzled why it’s such a big deal, here are five reasons to convince you:
1. To save on maintenance costs
When you use your HVAC system to create comfortable ambient temperature in your house, it takes in air, passes it through the heat exchanger, and then pushes it out by way of air filters. The air filter’s job is to catch things so that the air you breathe is free of dust, hair, soot, and allergen particles. Over time, they get heavily clogged. It means that the heat exchanger now has to work more forcibly to push air through, causing it to overheat.
When the motor and heat exchanger gets too hot, it can suddenly breakdown, leaving you without warm or cool air for extended periods. You might be able to get away with an expensive maintenance repair if you have a newer system, but if you have an older unit you might have to shell out an arm and a leg for a full replacement.
Replacing your obstructed furnace air filter consistently can thus help your finances by preventing the need for unplanned maintenance.
2. To decrease energy costs
An obstructed filter puts unnecessary strains on your unit. To maintain suitable conditions in your home, your HVAC system will now require greater energy compared to usual. It means you will be getting a higher electricity bill – anywhere between five to fifteen percent more than usual.
On average, the HVAC system accounts for nearly half of your property’s utility bill. A fifteen percent increase means that you will be paying significantly more than budgeted. Luckily, this is easily avoidable. By paying the negligible cost for a new filter, you can save majorly on energy usage.
3. To live with peace of mind
An HVAC system with a brand-new air filter and neatly installed suspension perth will help you sleep better at night, just like a functioning smoke alarm with new batteries would. Check your air filters once every month or so, especially during peak winter months, to make sure that they’re not occluded. If they are, then get it replaced immediately so you can avoid chances of malfunction or other irreparable damage.
By spending some time and money for this chore, you are ensuring the well-being of your family and yourself. To keep your place of residence ready for the colder months so you have complete peace of mind, get a licensed technician to perform furnace maintenance and tune-up.
4. To prevent premature wear and tear
A huge amount of dirt builds up in your filters during peak cooling and heating months. Over time, it can clog a major chunk of the filter and make it difficult for air to move through. It will mean that your entire system, especially the blower and the motor, will have to work more intensely to facilitate airflow.
If it goes on like this, the overworked system will quickly overheat and soon breakdown. So, it’s no surprise that the commonest cause for premature failure of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit is, in fact, a clogged air filter. By staying informed about your filters’ condition, you can prevent unwanted damage. It will, in turn, keep your HVAC unit running efficiently for longer.
5. To improve air quality
When a filter is congested, your indoor air will be contaminated with dirt particles, dust, pollen, pet dander, toxins (like mold spores), and other allergens. Breathing this can cause itchiness in the face, sinus headache, sneezing, and coughing. So, it is especially important to ensure clean, fresh, healthy, and safe air if you have young children, elderly people, or anybody else at home with asthma or other allergies.
An action as simple as being consistent in changing the air filter can do wonders for the quality of air around you, and the environment in general. Moreover, blocked filters put extra strain on the HVAC system, which causes it to overheat and release a significant amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon monoxide. So, by swapping out your furnace filter once every 2-4 months, you will reduce your carbon footprint and thus do your part in protecting the planet.
Final Thoughts
Since we don’t see our air filters every day, we tend to forget about it. But the truth is that they are a crucial aspect of your HVAC unit. They keep your homes comfortable by ensuring you breathe in clean, fresh, and safe air. A poorly-maintained air filter that has clogged up can spell trouble for your health as well as your finances. So, make sure you frequently check and change your furnace filter before winter kicks in.
