The Importance of Changing Air Filters

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The air filters in homes play an important part in capturing dust, debris and other particles such as mold and pet dander from the air keeping your indoor space clean and pollution-free. There are many advantages to regularly changing the air filters in a home, and this article will outline some of the reasons why this should be at the top of the list of home improvements projects.

Better Air Quality

Air filters are designed to improve your indoor air quality by filtering out particulates such as spores, dust, dander, smoke and smog. Regularly changing your air filter will keep your home cleaner, ensuring the air you breathe is fresher and healthier. This is especially important for pet owners as well as children and elderly people in your household.

Cleaner air within your home can also help allergy and asthma sufferers, especially during the hay fever season. Regularly changing your air filter can make it easier to breathe and reduce indoor allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose or congestion.

A dirty air filter will also accumulate build-up from the air it draws in which can cause mold, fungus and bacteria to grow in it. This can have a counter effect of introducing harmful particles and pollutants into the air in your home causing potential health problems.

Greater HVAC Efficiency

One of the most common reasons why heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment breaks down is due to dirty air filters.

Changing your air filter every 90 days or more will keep it from clogging up and preventing air from passing through. A dirty air filter can place undue strain on your HVAC system as the heating and cooling equipment must work harder to draw in air causing it to expend more energy in maintaining a comfortable temperature. This can also cause malfunctions in your HVAC system, resulting in overheating or freezing when set to air conditioning mode.

Regularly changing the filter will ensure your HVAC system is performing at its optimum efficiency, helping to reduce the cost of your energy bills. It will also ensure that it lasts longer and needs less repair and maintenance.

Your air filter’s main job is to protect your home’s HVAC system. An air filter that has a  MERV rating that is too high can cause damage to its heat exchanger, compressor and air conditioning coil. It is best to use an air filter with a lower rating such as a MERV 11 air filter or below, which is fine for residential use.

Cleaner Environment

The more efficiently your air filter is working the more dirt, debris and dust it is able to capture. This can greatly reduce the accumulation of dust on indoor surfaces such as shelves, books and tabletops.

Regularly changing your air filter will ensure there is less airborne dust. A cleaner indoor environment means you do not need to spend so much time and energy cleaning your house.

Follow the guidance in this article to ensure your air filters and HVAC system are working optimally at all times, creating a clean and healthy environment for you and your family throughout the year.

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