Keeping your home’s air clean and your HVAC system running smoothly starts with a simple task: changing your air conditioning filter. This small part is essential for controlling indoor air quality and efficiency. It helps trap allergens and particles that float through the air in your home. Over time, these particles build up on the filter, making your AC work harder and lowering its efficiency.
Why Change Your AC Filter Regularly?
When your AC filter is clogged, your air conditioning system needs to work extra hard to push through the buildup. This can cause your AC’s efficiency to drop and the air quality in your home to suffer. Luckily, you can fix this problem quickly by changing your AC filters regularly. In most cases, you should change your AC filter every 90 days.
Types of Air Filters
The type of filter you use affects how often you should change it for the best efficiency and indoor air quality.
- Fiberglass Air Filters: These are common because they are cheap and easy to throw away. However, they don’t catch small particles and irritants very well. If someone in your home has allergies or breathing difficulties, you’ll need to change these filters more frequently.
- Pleated Air Filters: Made from polyester or cotton, these filters have pleats that help catch more airborne irritants like mold, pollen, and pet dander. The more pleats, the better the filter is at blocking irritants.
- HEPA Filters: These are great for homes with people who have allergies or breathing issues. They catch up to 99% of mold, pollen, dust, pet dander, and bacteria in your home. However, they also make it harder for air to travel through, which can lower your HVAC system’s efficiency.
- UV Filters: These work with a UV cleaner attached to your HVAC system to kill bacteria and viruses in the air. While they keep germs at bay, they don’t capture much dust and other particles.
How Many People and Pets Are in Your Home?
The number of people and pets in your home affects how often you should change your AC filter. For a household of three people without pets, change the AC filter every 90 days. If more people live in your home, consider changing your filter every 45 to 60 days.
If you have pets, the general guideline is to change the air filter every 60 days for one pet, and a month earlier for each additional pet. Single-person households, especially those without pets, can go longer than 90 days before needing to change the filter.
What About Allergies?
If you or someone in your home has allergies, you need to change your AC filter more often. Changing the filter frequently improves the air quality and helps everyone breathe easier. For those with allergies, it’s best to change the filter every 30 days. Even if you don’t have allergies, changing the filter more often is good practice to keep the air in your home clean.
Need Help? Call an HVAC Contractor!
If you’re unsure about HVAC repair, need HVAC service, or want to learn more about how to become an HVAC contractor, don’t hesitate to reach out to HVAC contractor in Riviera Beach. They can help with AC repair, explain HVAC meaning, and ensure your air conditioner is running efficiently.
Keeping your home comfortable and your air clean doesn’t have to be hard. Just remember to change your AC filter regularly and call a professional for any HVAC needs.