A residential HVAC system requires air filters in order to keep the air inside your home healthy and ensure the system operates effectively. Filters help to trap airborne pollutants and allergens from circulating in the home. By replacing filters consistently, you can limit the strain on an air conditioner or furnace, while also removing harmful bacteria and allergens from your home. Let’s look at other ways air filters can impact your HVAC system and when you should plan to replace your current filters.

Benefits Of Replacing Air Filters

There are many benefits to replacing air filters frequently, ranging from better health to the function of the entire system. Replacing air filters on your HVAC unit annually will help the system to run smoothly. Once a filter is clogged, pushing the air to the rest of your home, causing the air conditioner or furnace to run for longer. Consistently performing maintenance on your home systems will prevent issues or system failure.

Changing air filters will also improve the comfort of your home. Air filters help ensure the air doesn’t feel stuffy, is odorless, and is free of allergens. Choosing the right air filter and staying on top of replacement will ensure that clean air gets to all corners of the home.

Factors That Could Require More Frequent Replacement

Depending on the unique needs of your home, air filters may need to be replaced more often than once a year. If you are unhappy with the quality of your air or are getting sick more often, you should replace filters more frequently. Here are some factors where homeowners may benefit from more frequent replacement. 

Air Quality

Habits and location can contribute to lower air quality inside a home, even if you have recently replaced HVAC air filters. Indoor smoking, wood buring fireplaces, cooking odors, homes near construction zones, or high pollution areas can benefit from monthly or bi-monthly filter replacement. 

Family Members With Asthma Or Allergies

Members of your household with respiratory problems or seasonal allergies may struggle if the air inside your home is polluted. During the spring months, when pollen is common, you may want to replace air filters more often. Those with asthma can also benefit from frequent air filter replacement, as hair, dust, pet dander, and dead skin cells can build up and cause irritation. If symptoms worsen, dirty air filters can be to blame.

Size Of The Home

Larger homes may struggle to circulate air to every part of the home when it has to push air through dirty air filters. Split HVAC systems or homes with multiple levels can benefit from duct cleaning and replacing air filters multiple times a year. Some filter types can be cleaned, rather than removed entirely, so check if these filters are used in your home to help save you money.

How Often The Unit Is Used

Some climates are milder than others, meaning that an HVAC system may not be used as often as in a cold or extremely hot climate. If air is not being pulled or pushed through your duct system, the filters may not collect as much debris as other homes. In a home that isn’t used as often, checking the filters before planning a replacement could save you time and money. 

Common Air Filter Types

Before you replace air filters, you should understand the type and size so you can purchase appropriate filters. Each filter type will also have a different recommended lifespan. Some common types of air filters for residential homes include:

• Spun glass or fiberglass
• Electrostatic
• Pleated
• Washable filters
• UV light filters
• Media filters

HVAC Services From MTN Valley Heating & Air Conditioning

MTN Valley Heating & Air Conditioning offers quality services in the Cache Valley area. Your home or business deserves to have quality air and enhanced comfort. We are dedicated to providing services that will give you the results you are envisioning. We offer heating, cooling, air quality, and maintenance services for different models and system sizes. Our team has been providing these services for over 20 years, giving us the experience needed to work with almost any home. Not only do we prioritize quality services, but we also prioritize customer satisfaction through clear communication. Contact us to schedule a consultation and see how our team can improve your indoor air.