It's important to know when to replace your AC air filter. There are seven obvious signs that you need to change the air filter at home. The only way to know how often your air filter should be changed is to visually inspect the filter every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty.
You'll need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. To properly change a dirty air filter, you must familiarize yourself with the one you have at home. If you can see dirt on the filter, it's time to replace it. You can also do the “white sheet” test: hold a white sheet of paper up to the filter and if you can't see through it, it's time for a new one.
If you can't remember the last time you changed it, that's another sign that it's time for a new one. Pleated air filters may need to be changed after sixty days, but fiberglass filters can only last up to thirty days. Air filters and oven filters should be checked at least once a month. If they are dirty, they should be replaced with a clean, new air filter. When you remove the air filter from the air conditioner, if you bring it closer to a light source, you can see if the filter is dirty or clogged.
If you can't see the light through the filter, it's time to change it. If you answer yes to this question, you'll want to change the filter every 6 weeks to maintain the best indoor air quality. If you live in a temperate climate and only use the air conditioner or boiler a few hours a day, a filter could last the entire season or up to an entire year. You may notice these indications much faster than those that indicate that you need to change your air filter. However, the smaller the appliance used to cool the small space, it usually has smaller filters, so you may have to change the filter as often as a filter in a larger house. Some manufacturers recommend replacing air filters every 30 to 60 or 90 days, depending on the type of air filter.
An expert air conditioning technician won't just help you change the air filter, which will keep your energy bills low. According to the American Allergy and Asthma Foundation (AAFA), “indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality. For mild to moderate allergies, residents will want to try replacing air filters every 30 days”.In addition, not replacing the air filter accordingly can cause the homeowner's energy bill to increase, since clogged filters make the system work harder to circulate air. The fewer occupants there are in a house, the less pollutants and debris will accumulate in its air filters.
In addition, hiring routine air conditioner maintenance services helps you find the right filter for your home to achieve extraordinary filtering efficiency. If you have young children at home, it's a good idea to use high-quality pleated air filters and change them as often as two months. If you live in a “smaller” house, your air conditioners and ovens must pump less air with the same temperature change, which could mean fewer filter changes. Numerous pollutants and debris, including excess dust, can cause air filters to become clogged and reduce air circulation throughout the house. Replacing filters regularly can keep homeowners and their families healthy through efficient air circulation.
