An air filter is a pretty simple and straightforward component of your HVAC system. It’s relatively inexpensive and unassuming. But depending on how you use it, the filter can be one of the most fundamental parts of your indoor air-quality strategy or a major headache when it comes to A/C and furnace maintenance. To keep your maintenance headache-free, keep up with your air filter replacement.
The air filters in your furnace and air conditioner use a fine mesh of synthetic fibers to strain the air before it passes into the air handler, catching dust, dander and other small particulates. Each filter keeps these particulates from building up on the various components of your system. It also removes the particulates from the air stream, making your home’s air much healthier. But, as with any other strainer, what gets caught in the filter stays in the filter and begins to clog up the fine holes through which the air passes. When this happens, your A/C or furnace fan must work harder and harder to push air, with a number of ill effects:
- Increased strain on the fan motor means that component parts suffer more wear and tear, making this a leading cause of HVAC system failure.
- Higher energy use associated with fan overwork can raise your home energy bills and enlarge your carbon footprint;
- Clogged filters impede air circulation, making it more difficult for conditioned air to make it to all areas of your home–which, beyond just decreasing your home comfort, may well force your system into overdrive, depending on where your thermostat sensors are located.
Checking the air filter and changing it as soon as it looks dirty should be a regular part of your home maintenance routine. It is an easy thing to do, taking only a few minutes of your time. But the return on this investment can be huge–not only for home comfort and health, but also for your peace of mind.
To learn more about air filter replacement and strategies to keep your indoor-air quality at its best, contact Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We’re here to serve homeowners in McKinney and the surrounding area.
