Your HVAC tech advises you to change your air filters often, but what’s the exact time that one must take? 30 days? 60 days? Or as you like it? Well, it is generally presumed that HVAC air filters must be changed quite often, at least once every 3 months or 90 days. But what happens if you don’t change the HVAC filter? Do you need to change the HVAC filter in winter? How do I know when my HVAC air filter needs to be replaced? Well, if you’re interested in knowing this? Read the blog completely to get all your answers!
- Understanding HVAC Filters
The HVAC filters are usually used in your home’s heating and cooling systems to avoid dust particles, pollen, and other such elements from entering your house, They basically keep the inner air of your house breathable and refreshing. The dirt particles are trapped inside the filters while the rest of the air is allowed to get inside and maintain ventilation.
- How Often to Change HVAC Filters?
Changing HVAC filters every 3 months is necessary if you want to avail their maximum benefits in terms of air quality as well as monetary benefits. Changing the HVAC filters has no rule of thumb, as it depends upon the circumstances of your house; however, it is believed that the more you use your house, the more you need to change filters quickly.
Some of the believed assumptions are as follows:
- If you have pets at your house, you should change your HVAC filters every 2 months or 50 days.
- If any of your family members have asthma or respiratory problems, then you must change your HVAC filters on a monthly basis.
- If you don’t use or visit your house enough, then you may change air filters every 9 months as per your convenience.
- What happens if you don’t change the HVAC filter?
To keep your house fully functional and purified, it is generally assumed that you must change HVAC air filters every few months, but what if you forget to change your HVAC filters? Or what if you procrastinated so much to the point that the deadline passed? Well, then you’ll have to face the music as a result of your negligence in terms of numerous monetary and other issues..
Some of them are discussed below:
- Reduced System Efficiency: Clogged air restricts airflow, putting a strain on the system that would require more energy, leading to more power consumption and higher energy bills.
- Poor Indoor Air Quality: The unchanged HVAC filter would have clogged dirt, debris and pollen and it won’t be able to restrict them all the time; sometimes letting some of them slide inside, leading to respiratory complications among residents.
- Potential HVAC Damage: As clogged filters would have more energy needs to function effectively, and that would also put a burden on the system unit itself– causing damage to the HVAC air filters.
- Health Complications: Clogged air filters would let the unfiltered air to slide inside without getting restricted; thus leading to severe respiratory complications, and the house residents are allergic to dust and pollen, it could pose a detrimental impact upon their lives.
- Do you need to change the HVAC filter in winter?
HVAC filters ensure easy flow of air, maintaining breathable and quality air to pass inside; therefore, changing HVAC filters is necessary every few months. But do you need to change the HVAC filter in winter specifically? And the answer is yes, you should change your HVAC air filters in winter, especially if you have a heating system or furnace, because clogged filters won’t be able to work efficiently, and will use more energy than usual, leading to higher energy bills.
It is crucial to change your HVAC Air filters in winter, especially if you have furnaces inside, to ensure that your family enjoys fresh, clean, and healthy air.
Conclusion
In essence, it is essential to keep changing your HVAC filters after every 3 months, but more often if you have respiratory issues or have pets. It is crucial to change your HVAC air filters if you want a healthy breathing environment at your home and workplace.
FAQs
Are HVAC Air filters interchangeable?
No, there are many types of HVAC air filters available; some of them are for UV rays, pleated and some are with HEPA technology–choose yours as per your requirement.
Are all HVAC air filters the same?
All HVAC air filters are not the same; they all come to tackle numerous needs; such as pleated, HEPA, UV and fiberglass filters. HEPA technology based filters are the most efficient of all.
Are HVAC air filters worth the money?
Yes, HVAC air filters are worth the money as they provide the best air filtration service; especially those with HEPA technology are the most effective of all.
How can I clean the HVAC air filter on my own?
Yes, you can clean it on your own but it requires extra effort, it’s better to call a professional for that matter.
Could you check your HVAC air filter, or do you need to hire someone?
Yes, you can check your own HVAC air filter by following these steps i.e., turn off the system, locate the filter, remove and inspect the filter, check filter type and reinstall the filter, and turn the filter back on.
