Ah, the air filter. Every air conditioner has one, and so many customers have no idea how important they are. We don’t blame them, it’s not like it’s easy to find this kind of information unless you’re following a blog like ours.
AC systems routinely go through massive amounts of air circulated through your home. They cool this air as it passes through the system, and they do so regularly in cycles. That means that all of the dust, dirt, and pet dander that’s existing in your home’s air will get cycled through the system. Or at least it all would if it weren’t for the air filter!
The air filter is a protective component that keeps the sensitive area inside your AC from being damaged by contaminants. If it’s not changed out regularly, then you could see AC repair in Waterloo, IA sooner rather than later.
What Happens With a Dirty Air Filter?
In order to explain how important something is, we need to talk about what would happen if it didn’t exist at all. Your air filter is a component, and it can be taken out or placed into your air conditioner’s return air duct. So, what would happen if the air filter were suddenly removed?
Well, your air conditioner’s evaporator coils and sensitive electrical components would immediately be inundated with dust and other contaminants from your home’s air. This would severely limit the system’s ability to run efficiently, while also causing damage.
Dust and dander can build up and make it harder for the system to have access to your home’s air. This means that the air conditioner would have to work harder, consume more electricity, and run for longer periods of time in order to cool your home off. And even then, it might never reach the specified temperature you put on the thermostat.
This is just one situation without an air filter, but things can get a lot worse all at once. So, do yourself a favor and remember to change out your air filter every 1-3 months.
Cleaning Your Air Filter Regularly
Why do we specify changing your air filter every 1-3 months? Well, this just tends to be the best cycle to remove contaminants without being a total nuisance. Sure, you can change your air filter weekly or even daily, but that’s a lot of extra time for a very small benefit.
Changing your air filter monthly, or even every 3 months depending on certain factors, will still help to remove contaminants while also not adding more stress to your already busy life.
The Additional Benefits of Air Filter Maintenance
Filter maintenance is not just for your home’s efficiency and the longevity of your system, it also impacts your air quality. Think of it as another layer of defense against contaminants, clearing out your air of stuffy particles like dust.
Believe it or not, a clean air filter can also impact the odor and feel of your indoor air, not just the safety of it. There are a lot of small benefits to having fewer contaminants in the air, even if the air filter is primarily designed to protect your AC.
We Can Always Help!
Need help with changing your air filter? Check your system’s manual or give our team a call for a complete walkthrough.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Falls area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.