Changing Your Heating & Air Conditioning Filter
Air Filter | Heating and Air Conditioning
You depend upon your home’s heating and air conditioning to provide year-round comfort. The purpose of the air filter is to protect the HVAC system from dust and dirt, which creates friction when it enters the system due to a dirty air filter. This friction will cause premature wear in the components of the HVAC system, negatively effecting efficiency and performance, and shortening the system’s service life.
Changing the air filter on a routine basis will help to ensure the longevity of the system, while maintaining your comfort and improving the indoor air quality. There is little a homeowner can do towards maintaining the heating and air conditioning, and changing the filter is one of two actions that the homeowner can take.
Using the appropriate filter for your heating and air conditioning system is important to receive the best performance. Filters are not all created equal, and an improved filter quality isn’t always the best thing for your specific system. There are various grades of air filters, and some work better than others. However, a superior filter may be denser than your system can draw air through. If this occurs, your system may be damaged due to the strain placed upon it in its efforts to draw air. If you are uncertain of the appropriate filter to use in your heating and air conditioning, contact the manufacturer or give us a call.
Once the dust and debris have accumulated the filter becomes ineffective, and can even block airflow. At this point, the potential for two damaging processes occur, that may result in the complete failure of the system.
First, a dirty filter allows damaging dust to enter into the HVAC system beyond the filter where it is circulated throughout the home. As this dirt collects in the system it begins to wear down the components.
The second problem which can occur due to a dirty filter, is related to the inability of air to move through the filter. As the system struggles, starving for air wear the components can over heat. Once overheating either the system will have a safety that will shut it down, preventing it from running; or the system will continue to over heat until it shorts out or catches fire. This is a dangerous situation, with a house fire being a potential consequence.
The best way to ensure the system is protected from damaging dust, failure and fire related to a dirty air filter, is to change the filter routinely.
How often the filter should be changed will depend upon the amount of dust and debris that collects, and the type of filter it is. The air filter should be checked every month, regardless of type. Choose a day, such as the 1st for example, for filter check day. Many filters require changing every month, such as the cheap blue filters. Others are good for 90 days depending upon certain conditions that may apply. If any of the following affect your household more frequent changes may be required:
- A family member has allergies, asthma, COPD or other respiratory condition.
- Pets are present in the household.
- The use of a fireplace or a wood heater.
- The presence of a lot of dust and/or pollen.
- Having a smoker in the home.
If any of these conditions are relevant to your home, check the filter every 2 weeks and change as required, but no less than once per month for the best performance and the protection of your heating and air conditioning system.
The following tips will improve the performance of the HVAC System:
- Insert the filter correctly. There should be an arrow indicating which way the filter should be located in the air return for proper filtration.
- Do not clean disposable filters, dispose of them once they are soiled, or if they become wet. A wet filter in the air return without explanation may indicate a problem.
Contact your Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning technician for identification of the issue and repair of the heating and air conditioningsystem. Only permanent filters can be cleaned. Do not risk mold forming within the HVAC system by inserting a wet or damp permanent filter, let reusable filters dry completely before inserting.
The second step you can take as a homeowner is to ensure routine heating and air conditioning service by a qualified HVAC technician. The annual tune-up and inspection will go a long way towards providing peak performance and reducing air conditioning repairs in Katy
Contact Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule service for issues with your heating and air conditioning . Our certified technicians provide experienced and expertise for providing maintenance, heating and air conditioning installation, and heating and air conditioning repair in Katy. We serve Katy and the surrounding areas.
