If you forget to change your HVAC system’s air filter, you are not alone. However, if you forget this task often enough, you can set yourself up for problems such as extra repair bills, bad indoor air quality, and the premature demise of the system. Here are some ways to make this home maintenance job easier to remember.
Mark the Date on a Calendar On a large wall calendar, mark the date for the air filter change. Designate a specific color, such as bright green or orange, for this task and use other colors for other home tasks. You can sit down each month to delegate dates for tasks, but it is easier if you go through the entire calendar at once. This way, you will know you have a reminder set up for every month at a glance. Create a Monthly Home Maintenance List Instead of using a calendar, create a home maintenance list using poster board or a whiteboard and display it in your kitchen or home office. All monthly maintenance tasks you would like to remember should be included, such as changing the HVAC filter, cleaning and organizing the refrigerator and washing curtains. Each time you change the air filter , put a check mark and write the date in the “change filter” column on the list. When you don’t remember when you last changed it, you will be able to look at this list and have no doubts. Use Technology There are reminder apps you can download to your phone. You can set these to remind you about all the little tasks you need to do, including HVAC maintenance. Some Wi-Fi thermostat apps even give you the option of receiving these kinds of reminders. If you prefer email to using phone apps, you can choose from several online memo sites that send monthly reminders via email. You can usually pick both the date for the reminder and how many times to be reminded on that date. For more information about HVAC air filters, please contact us at Russell's Heating & Cooling. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “M. Dykstra/Shutterstock”