Changing Air Filters is the One Simple Task Homeowners Always Forget

It’s the one thing people always forget to do but it’s extremely important to change your home air filters on a regular basis. These can include filters for your furnace heating system or your air conditioning system. The basic reason to change out the filters is that they become filled with dirt and eventually work less efficiently. Any filter’s primary job is to remove dirt before it can clog your systems. But the same dirt, dust and bacteria that the filters keep out of your appliances can build up and contribute to making you ill.

Sometimes, people will develop allergies or difficulty breathing when the filters are dirty, simply because the dirty filters circulate bad air throughout your home. You can’t see it, but you may notice that the air doesn’t seem so fresh anymore. In the worst case, you may not notice any odor, but still develop some respiratory problems.

When you consider that dusty air filters reduce the air flow significantly enough to make your equipment work harder, then it makes sense that all that extra work can use more energy and cost you more money. Experts say that dirty filters can increase energy use by anywhere from 5 to 15 percent. That is money that could have been saved. Experts recommend that you change your air filters about every 3 to 4 months.

In certain cases, it will be necessary to change the filters once a month; usually for medical reasons. This will help to keep the interior of your home cleaner and help your heating or cooling systems to work at their top efficiency levels. When you learn how to do it yourself, and do it regularly, you don’t need to pay for someone to do it. You can also avoid potentially expensive repairs by keeping your equipment as clean as possible.

Filters come in many sizes and types. If you’re not certain what you need, you can take an old one from your equipment to your local hardware store and ask for help. It is possible to buy filters one at a time, or several at a time. It’s usually cheaper to buy the bulk pack, as you’ll save a bit on each filter in the pack. That’s a nice discount per filter if you can do it.  The final leg of the replacement process is to insert the new filters where they belong, making certain that the filter fits properly. A quick fix for loose edges is to tape them down with duct or masking tape. This keeps the air moving through the filter so it can do its job, rather than sneaking around it.

The most important things you want from an air filter are efficiency. This is the term used for measuring the amount of contaminants and particles removed from your air by a particular filter. Important also is air flow. Clogged filters can ultimately lead to causing your equipment to quit running completely if dirt comes loose and migrates into the fans, coils or motors in your system.

Learning about the common design types and inspecting your current filter is the best way to begin replacing them on your own. Some filters are actually washable so that you can use them again. These are good money saving options when our equipment is compatible with them. Of course, costs vary depending on the options, and some of the options you will have can work more efficiently than other choices. It can take a while to learn what works best in your home.

Common Air Filter Types

• Electrostatic air filters: Use electricity or electronic static to clear particles from the air without blocking the air flow. Clogs are less of a problem with this type. Not as efficient removing contaminants. Provide 90% efficiency cleaning air.

• Fiberglass panel filters: Easy to purchase, and not expensive. Traps large dust particles, but need to be replaced frequently due to rapid dirt and dust build up.

• Media air filters: used by HVAC professionals for reliable and cost effective maintenance. Usually only available to professionals in the industry. Uses many layers of fiber to trap dirt, dust and contaminants.

• Pleated air filters: Easy to use by average homeowners. Can be as efficient at media air filters. Require more frequent changing.

Pleated air filters are generally available for purchase in thicknesses of one to six inches. The most popular thickness is two inches, or less. Most filters are durable, not expensive, dependable and easy to use. Some will even control odors. A good rule of thumb is that you can use a pleated air filter to help with allergies if the filter has a Merv rating of 10 or 12. The issue with the pleated varieties is that the particles land on the cover, but don’t filter through. Eventually, the filter’s surface will be covered with debris and no longer allow the air to flow through.

• HEPA filters: High Efficiency Particular Air media, or HEPA filters are best for those who struggle with asthma or allergies.

• HEPA filters remove not only dust, but mold spores, household allergen, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. They provide over 99% efficiency and are constructed with more pleats for each inch than other pleated products do.

• Activated Carbon filters: These remove bad smells and heavy odors, such as cigarette smoke, pet odors, garbage smells, gas, and some sprays, perfumes and colognes. These work with charcoal, which helps to soak up the bad odors.

Regardless of your equipment type, or the filters you need to change, doing so on a schedule will help to keep your systems working efficiently and your home fresher and cleaner.

Here are two handy YouTube videos which teach the basics of replacing your filters in easy to understand language, using step by step explanations:

Basic Home Maintenance: How to Change an Air Conditioner Filter

How to Change Your Home Furnace Filter