When it comes to making the most of your air conditioner installation, a key part of getting the best possible cooling is consistently replacing your air filters. If that sounds unfamiliar to you, your AC system may not be performing at its best.
Routine filter replacement keeps your system running smoothly and keeps the cooling air throughout your home health. Gulf Shore Cooling, LLC’s HVAC experts will break down what your filter does, the importance of regular replacement, how often you should replace yours, and even the signs to indicate that your filter needs to be changed.
What Is an HVAC Filter and Why Is It Important?
HVAC filters are installed barriers designed with either pleated paper with a cardboard frame or made with spun fiberglass. These barriers prevent pollutants and other harmful bacteria from entering your system and the air circulation around your home.
Keeping out these kinds of debris not only reduces the chance of system issues like duct clogs but also keeps your air circulation undisrupted and clean. These filters are installed in critical areas like your return air duct, as that is where the air circulation travels to and from your HVAC system.
What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Air Filter Regularly?
The contaminants that get stuck in the filter can build up over time. While a small layer of debris will not do anything, the build-up over time creates its own barrier that doesn’t block out more germs—it blocks your circulating air.
Without proper air circulation, not only does your home’s cooling begin to be affected, but it also creates much more strain on your HVAC system, snowballing into much more severe, and expensive repairs.
Factors That Affect How Often You Should Replace Your Air Filter
Typically, an HVAC air filter should be replaced every 1 to 3 months. This is a simple general guideline for basic filters as multiple factors can affect how often you need to replace your specific filter. Those factors include:
Type of HVAC Filter
One of the biggest factors comes down to the sort of filter you have installed for your system. The most common HVAC filters you’ll find are the fiberglass and the pleated paper air filters. Fiberglass is the more affordable option but the trade-off is the ability to block out contaminants is worse. These filters typically need to be replaced every month.
Pleated paper air filters come with a higher filtration rate but that comes with a much higher cost per filter. The better design creates a better lifespan, resulting in these filters needing to be changed every 90 days.
The Filter’s Thickness
When shopping around for filters, you’ll notice they can vary in their thickness. The thinner filters, around 1 inch in thickness, will tend to clog up a lot faster, resulting in a need to be replaced every 1 to 3 months. The filters with a thickness of around 4 to 5 inches provide higher efficiency in keeping contaminants out. The thicker design results in a durable design, with the filters lasting for 6 to 12 months before needing to be changed.
Dust and Air Quality Levels
Inside factors contribute heavily to the presence of dust and debris in the air. Smoking and even poor ventilation can result in more dust getting into the air and being caught by your filter. The heavier presence of dust not only affects indoor air quality, it clogs up your filters, requiring much more frequent replacements.
Pets
Humans are not the only ones who can create and stir up debris into the air, as our animal companions provide their fair share. Pet dander can quickly clog up HVAC air filters, resulting in far worse air circulation and the need to frequently replace the filter.
HVAC Usage
The amount of time you spend off your HVAC system can heavily affect how often. For many in Fort Myers and surrounding areas in Florida, the hotter temperatures have turned on the AC more often. The heavy usage stirs up more debris in the air, resulting in frequently clogged filters that need to be replaced.
Signs Your HVAC Air Filter Needs Replacing
For most components of your HVAC system, they perform their tasks in the background. The same could be said for your filters, which silently stop all the nasty bacteria and debris from making a wreck of your system and air. But they can’t do this forever without a replacement once in a while.
Not sure if your HVAC filters need to be replaced? Look for these common signs:
1) Vents Are Full of Dust and Dirt
Your HVAC system is always circulating air when running, bringing in outside air, and filtering or reusing the air inside your home. Both cases see air going through your filters and heavier usage of the system results in clogged filters. When clogged, the filters are not able to prevent dust and debris from entering the system, allowing them access to settle in different areas like your ductwork and vents. When these areas become new homes for dust bunnies, it’s time to replace your air filters.
2) The Air Filter Looks Dirty or Clogged
Sometimes the quickest way to know if you need a filter replacement is by a simple visual inspection. Make it a routine to check your filter every month to see how much dust and debris has been collected. When the amount is substantial or there is a clear clog, it’s time for a replacement.
3) HVAC System Takes Longer to Heat or Cool Your Home
Air circulation is a key part of your HVAC system, a part it plays no matter how clogged or dirty your filters get. The problem arises when that clogged filter is not able to transport the circulating air resulting in problems for your HVAC system such as short-cycling or inconsistent temperature control.
Making the switch to a new, clean filter gives your system the proper airflow back, increasing its efficiency and enhancing your overall heating and cooling comfort.
4) You Have Higher Energy Bills
If your energy bill starts looking a little too high, the main culprit could be your air filter. When the filter is clogged, your HVAC system has to make up for the reduced airflow, resulting in much more strain and energy usage to try and reach your set temperature. All of this results in worsened heating and cooling and more expensive energy waste. Avoid this with well-timed filter replacement, keeping your system working its best.
5) Poor Indoor Air Quality
Clogged air filters work against the component’s main job of preventing irritants and pollutants from entering your system. In doing so, it results in heavier bacteria and debris presence in the air you breathe. If you have suddenly started getting the sniffles more frequently, it’s not a persistent cold, it’s your filter working against you. Replacing the filter reduces the chance of dust and debris presence in your system and air, allowing you to breathe in much cleaner air quality.
Should I Clean or Replace My AC Air Filter?
This question has probably crossed your mind. While this can be a good solution, there are plenty of problems that come with them.
Cleaning
Cleaning your filters allows for a quick immediate solution to a clogged filter while also being eco-friendly, as you are preventing old filters from going into the trash.
The downside to cleaning is it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. You can only clean washable air filter types, so those with pleated paper or fiberglass filters are out of luck. From there, cleaning can still leave behind particles and debris that will continue clogging the filter. It can also be time-consuming.
Replacing
Replacing your filter keeps your system fresh and running at its peak. It’s also far less time-consuming than cleaning a filter. Replacing filters can get costly, though, since you need to purchase new filters every few months.
This method also creates more waste.
If you are considering all these factors, it is always best to talk to an HVAC professional about the best course of action regarding cleaning or replacing your air filters.
How to Replace Your HVAC Air Filter
If you are looking to replace your air filter, follow these steps:
- Find Your Filters: Look around your home and locate the various locations where your vents are.
- Remove Old Filter: Slowly take out the old filter as any sudden movements can break off the dust that is still stuck.
- Calculate Filter Size: Most filters will indicate the size somewhere on the design. Make sure your replacement is the same size. If the filter is not indicated, you can calculate the size with measuring tape to find factors like the length, width, and thickness.
- Insert Filter Properly: There will be an arrow on the new filter indicating airflow direction. Make sure the arrow is pointed towards your HVAC system.
Follow along with these steps, and you will have properly replaced your air filter!
Having Issues with Your Air Filters? We’re Here to Help
Routine air filter replacement keeps your system working efficiently. But what if you could get an air filter replacement as a part of a maintenance plan? All of that is possible by calling on Gulf Shore Cooling, LLC. Since 2000, our experienced team has delivered expert HVAC services and are ready to bring high quality maintenance to your home.
We have crafted maintenance plans that provide inspections and services to keep your system running smoothly. In no time flat, your air filters are replaced along with addressing any other issues. When our crew leaves, you can feel confident in the system’s performance and your renewed sense of comfort. Call our team today at (239) 427-2910 or schedule an appointment online.
