One of the most important — and most neglected — routine home maintenance chores is regularly changing the air filter in the heating and air conditioning system. Being out of sight and out of mind causes many people to forget to change their filters until they’re dirty, clogged and totally useless for their intended purpose. Changing the filter in your home’s HVAC system is the first rule of furnace maintenance for homeowners.

Why Your HVAC Filter Needs Regular Changing

All of the air that is circulated through your home by your HVAC system is routed through a disposable air filter. When it gets dirty and clogged, bad things begin to happen. All of that dust, allergens, microbes, pollen, and even viruses are now free to circulate in your breathing environment. This can be particularly harmful for people with allergies or respiratory illnesses, but it can affect the health of otherwise healthy people, too.

The other reason your filter needs to be changed regularly is that a clogged filter makes your HVAC system work harder to do its job. The blower needs to run longer to move that air through a dirty filter, and your system needs to operate longer to cool or heat the home to the correct temperature setting. It also allows dust to get into the parts, causing them to wear out quicker. The result: a reduced useful life for your HVAC system and higher heating and AC bills.

How and When Should You Change Your HVAC Filter?

It depends on how much you are using your system. It’s a good idea to check your air filter every 30 to 60 days during peak usage season, especially if you have pets in the home or someone with allergies or breathing issues.

If you don’t know where the filter is located or how to change it, it’s best to ask your local HVAC professional for advice. An air filter is much like a coffee filter. If it looks like it’s clogged with debris and is hard to see through, it’s probably time to change it.

Look for the size on the side of the filter and make sure you purchase the right replacement for your unit. The team at Knight’s can help determine the size and type of filter that you need for your unit if you are unsure or can’t locate your owner’s manual for replacement recommendations.

Consider taking advantage of the Knight’s Mechanical Shield Preventive Maintenance Plan. It includes two annual HVAC system checks by our technicians to make sure your system is in top condition, including your air filters.

Contact Knight’s Mechanical for all your heating and cooling needs.