Many of us in the Chesapeake area have daily, weekly and monthly routines which help us keep our homes clean and running smoothly throughout the year. Maybe you remind yourself to clear out the gutters every fall, or maybe you make it a point to check the fire alarms every six months. But are you remembering to give regular care and attention to your home’s heating and cooling equipment?
Even if you have your heating and air conditioning systems serviced routinely, it’s important to change your filters regularly in between service visits to keep things running safely and efficiently.
As we approach allergy season, remember that changing your air filters helps improve your home’s indoor air quality (also called IAQ). Leave a filter in your HVAC system for too long, and it will lose its ability to remove allergens like dust, dander, pollen, and dirt from the air!
Changing your air filters regularly also keeps your furnace and air conditioner (or heat pump, if you have one) running safely. The reason? A clogged air filter can restrict airflow — or worse, cause your system to overheat. This can lead to expensive repairs and having to replace your HVAC equipment prematurely.
On a similar note, changing your air filters regularly helps keep your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible. With clean air filters, your furnace and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
How often you change your HVAC system air filters largely depends on what type of filter you use. The most basic types of air filters, for example, should be changed every 30 to 60 days. Some higher-end pleated filters, on the other hand, may last a few months before needing to be changed.
Other factors come into play as well, including:
How many occupants are in your home
How many pets you have
Whether any family members have allergies or sensitivities
How much air pollution is in your area
In general, our recommendation is to check your filters at least once a month — and change them as soon as they begin to accumulate dust or dirt.
Wondering how to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, or looking for additional ways to stop allergies at home? Whatever your home comfort needs, Russell’s HVAC has you covered. We help homeowners throughout the Chesapeake, VA area keep their homes comfortable with expert maintenance, fast and reliable repairs, and professional indoor air quality solutions.