There are not many inventions that provide as much value as our modern heating and air conditioning systems. As a testament to this fact, it is worth noting that the United States market for HVAC contractors earns more than $123 billion every single year! There are more than 650,000 people who work in this industry to help us control the temperature of our homes.
As useful as these HVAC services are, people might not have to spend as much money on them if they knew more about their HVAC filters. By changing your HVAC filters at the right time, you can decrease the stress that your HVAC system has to endure.
However, this is only the beginning of the benefits that come with changing your HVAC filters at the right time. But how can you know if it is time for you to change your HVAC filters or not?
Read on to learn all about the top signs that you may need to change your HVAC system filters!
How Long Do Aircon Filters Last?
There are two basic ways to think about when you need to change your aircon filters. The first is to understand how long their intended lifespan is. The other is to know how to recognize the signs that your HVAC filters are no longer working the way they are supposed to.
We will discuss both of these ideas, starting with how long your HVAC filters are supposed to last.
There are several different kinds of HVAC filters. Although all of them work to improve your air quality, they have different lifespans.
If you don’t know which kind of filter you are using, you might replace it at the wrong time. If you replace your filters too early, then you will pay for more new filters than necessary. If you replace your filters too late, then your air quality will go down and you will experience other problems as well.
So how long do different kinds of aircon filters last?
Different Types of Air Filters
Fiberglass filters are the most inexpensive type of filters available in most places. They only last about 30 days before they need replacement.
The next type, pleated filters, lasts between 60 and 90 days.
However, the majority of homes use electrostatic filters. These filters last for about 6 months before they need replacing. At the same time, it is important to remember that you may need to replace these filters sooner if they have been filtering a lot of contaminated air.
The dustier your environment is, the more often you will need to change your home’s HVAC filters.
Some homes also use HEPA filters. These powerful filters capture even more particles in the air than electrostatic filters. On top of that, they enjoy a longer lifespan. HEPA filters can last between 6 and 12 months.
The last kind of filter you might have is a washable filter. How often you need to wash these filters will depend on your environment. However, with regular cleanings, you can reuse washable filters for as long as 5 years.
Signs You Need to Change Your Air Filters
On the other hand, these are only estimates. If you rely on these estimates too much, then you may not be replacing your filters at the best time for your unique situation.
There are several signs you can look for that can let you know if it might be time to change your air filters, no matter how long it has been since you last changed them. You can also schedule professional maintenance to make sure you are changing your filters often enough.
Change Your Filters to Enjoy Clean Air
If your home is developing unpleasant odors, the problem might be that your air conditioning filters are no longer working the way they are supposed to. The more particles your filters collect, the more difficult it is for air to pass through them. If enough contamination builds up in your filters, then the air coming out of your HVAC system will be hardly any cleaner than the air going into it.
Invest in HVAC Maintenance to Lower Bills
Another sign that you may need to change your air filters is that your energy bills are going up. Your HVAC system will need to use more and more energy to get the same job done when it has to work around old filters. As a result, your home’s energy consumption will go up as well as its energy bills.
Of course, your energy bills might be going up for unrelated reasons. Many people have seen their energy costs increase in recent months and years. However, you will find that your system works with maximum efficiency when it has fresh air filters.
Change Your Filters When They’re Clogged
Another way to know if you need to change your air filters is by looking at them and seeing if they are clogged. If they are, then it is either time to clean the debris off of them or replace them, depending on the type of air filter you have.
In many ways, this is the most reliable sign that you need to change your air filters. If your filters still look clean, then you probably don’t need to change them.
Understand When to Change Your HVAC Filters
Since everyone will need to change their HVAC filters at one point or another, it is worth learning about how you can know when the proper time to change your filters is. Understanding when to change your filters will help you enjoy better air quality and even lower energy bills. It can also decrease the chance that you will need to pay for special repairs for your HVAC system later on.
To learn more about how you can find the right HVAC services for your situation, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
