Why Do You Need an Air Filter in Your House?
An air filter is a device that helps to remove contaminants from the air in your home. The filter traps these particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. Doing so helps to improve the indoor air quality in your home and can reduce the symptoms of allergies and asthma.
Changing Your Air Filter Regularly
Changing your air filter regularly is essential, as filthy filters can worsen your indoor air quality. How often you change your filter depends on a few factors, such as the type of filter you have and the level of contaminants in your home. In general, however, most filters should be changed every three months.
If you don’t change your air filter with a service like PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air regularly, the contaminants it traps will eventually build up and cause the filter to become clogged. This can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and lead to increased allergies and asthma symptoms. In extreme cases, a clogged air filter can even cause your HVAC system to overheat and break down.
Changing the air filter regularly will prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and improve its efficiency, especially when you get the electric bill.
A clogged air filter will cause your system to work harder, using more energy and costing you more money on future air conditioning maintenance.
How Does the Air Filter Work?
An air filter works by trapping airborne particles as air passes through the filter. The air filter traps dust, pollen, mold spores, and other pollutants that can cause respiratory problems. The air filter also helps to keep the air in your home clean and free of allergens.
Can I Run My AC Without a Filter?
If you have a central heating and cooling system in your home, it is designed to circulate air throughout the house. The system pulls in air from the outside, heats or cools it, and then sends it back into the house. An essential part of this process is the air filter.
The air filter’s job is to trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles before entering the HVAC system. This helps keep the system clean and prevents these particles from circulating throughout your home. If the unit becomes clogged, it can reduce the system’s efficiency and will most likely damage it.
So, can you run a central unit without an air filter? Technically, yes. The system will still operate without one. However, it is not advisable to do so. Running the system without a filter can shorten its lifespan and lead to costly air conditioning repairs. It can also cause indoor air quality problems as dust, pollen, and other particles are circulated throughout the house.
How to Tell if Air Filter Needs Replacing?
The air filter in your house is there for a reason – to keep the air clean and free of contaminants. So how do you know when to change the air filter? Here are some signs to look out for:
- The air quality in your home feels worse than usual. If you notice that the air in your home feels stuffy or stagnant,
- Your energy bills have gone up. If you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your energy bills, a clogged air filter makes your heating and cooling system work harder to circulate the air, driving up your energy costs.
- Your HVAC system is making strange noises. If your furnace or air conditioner starts making strange noises, it could be a sign that the air filter is blocked. A clean air filter will help reduce the strain on your HVAC system and make it run more smoothly.
- The airflow from your vents is weak. If you notice that the airflow from your vents is weaker than usual, it’s a sign that the air filter needs to be changed. A clogged air filter will restrict the airflow from your vents, making it harder for your HVAC system to circulate the air.
- You’ve changed the air filter recently, but it’s still dirty. If you’ve changed the air filter recently, but it’s already dirty again, it could indicate a problem with your HVAC system. A professional technician can inspect your system and ensure it’s operating correctly.
Does Every AC Have a Filter?
Yes, every AC has a filter in the unit, but some have one while others have more than one.
PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air knows AC units and assists the customer in any way possible, even something minor as changing filters. For more information on anything air filter related, contact us today.