HVAC systems are critical to maintaining indoor comfort year-round. One component of HVAC performance that is often overlooked is the importance of air filters. Air filters significantly impact airflow, efficiency, indoor air quality, and even equipment lifespan.
We’re going to explore the role of air filters on how well your HVAC system works. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions about what happens when air filters are dirty, how often to change them, and how to choose the right one.
What Does an HVAC Air Filter Do?
Air filters play a vital role in the operation of your HVAC. Air filters have three primary responsibilities:
- Capture contaminants: HVAC filters capture airborne particles floating in the air to make air cleaner and easier to breathe.
- Improve IAQ: Filters improve indoor air quality by trapping microscopic particles such as dust, dander, pollen, and other allergens.
- Protect the HVAC: HVAC filters also protect the HVAC system from airborne debris to maintain optimal airflow and prevent buildup.
How Do Air Filters Impact HVAC Performance?
Now that you understand what AC filters do, let’s discuss how they impact HVAC performance. From improving airflow to extending the lifespan of your unit, air filters make a huge difference in efficiency.
Improves Airflow
First, air filters help improve airflow by trapping dust, dander, and other airborne contaminants before they clog your HVAC system’s internal components. When air filters are clean, air can travel freely through the ductwork.
This helps your HVAC cool or heat your home evenly. Clogged or dirty air filters restrict airflow and force your system to work harder than it needs to, reducing comfort.
Ensures Energy Efficiency
As long as your air filters are clean, your HVAC system can run without unnecessary strain. When filters are clogged, your AC must consume more energy to meet your home’s heating or cooling demands.
This can result in higher utility bills and uneven temperatures. It’s important to change your air filters regularly to not waste energy or money.
Improves Indoor Comfort
Air filters also impact your home’s indoor air quality. Filters capture dust, dirt, dander, and more that would otherwise recirculate throughout your home. For homes with allergy sufferers, smokers, or pets, changing the air filters regularly is especially crucial. Clean filters minimize irritants and help you maintain a comfortable living environment.
Extends Lifespan of HVAC Unit
Changing your air filters regularly also helps extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit by protecting it from unnecessary wear and tear. Internal components, such as the blower motor and compressor, must work harder when air filters are dirty, leading to premature system failure.
What Happens When Air Filters Get Dirty?
Wondering what actually happens if you don’t regularly change your air filters?
Restricts Airflow
Dirty air filters restrict airflow, which can cause uneven temperatures throughout your home and poor airflow from the vents.
Increases Utility Bills
When debris builds up on your air filters, your HVAC system must work harder to pull air through them. Clogged air filters mean that your system will use more energy, which can result in a noticeable increase in your utility costs.
Reduced Performance
Your HVAC system will struggle to perform optimally and maintain desired temperatures when you have dirty air filters. Your home may take longer to heat or cool when filters are clogged, or certain areas of the home may feel more uncomfortable than others.
Increased Risk of Damage
When HVAC systems work overtime to reach and maintain the desired temperatures due to restricted airflow, key components endure added pressure and strain. The blower motor, evaporator coil, and compressor may suffer from premature wear, which leads to costly breakdowns or full system failure.
Poor IAQ
Indoor air quality is severely impacted by dirty or clogged air filters. When air filters are clogged, they can’t effectively trap any more airborne particles. This means that dust, dander, and other allergens are free to circulate throughout your home.
How Can I Pick the Right Air Filter?
To choose the right air filter for your HVAC system, check your user manual. The user manual will outline the proper filter size and recommended MERV rating for your specific unit. It’s always important to check the manual to prevent replacing your filters with the wrong kind and damaging your system.
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings indicate how effectively a filter can capture airborne particles on a scale of 1-20. Additionally, consider your household needs. If you have allergy sufferers, pets, or smokers in your home, you may need higher-rated filters.
How Often Should Air Filters Be Changed?
If you’re asking yourself, “How can I tell it’s time to change my filters?”, you should understand the basics of HVAC air filter replacement.
In general terms, HVAC air filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days. However, the replacement schedule depends on the thickness of the filters, usage of your system, and household needs.
Thin fiberglass air filters should be changed monthly, while thicker, pleated filters may last longer (3 to 12 months).
Contact Us Today
At Mercurio’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re the experts in AC maintenance and furnace maintenance. So, if you need your air filters changed or are having efficiency issues with your HVAC, we can help!
Check out our HVAC maintenance plans for cost savings and priority scheduling. Call us today at (360) 499-2980 or book an appointment online.
