Top Signs You Need to Replace Your Air Filters

air filter

If you notoriously forget to change your air filter, you’re not alone. We know that daily life is busy, and many homeowners in Atlanta, Georgia, forget to do this simple maintenance task.

How often you need to change the air filter depends on a variety of factors.

Here we will go over some of those factors.

Timing of Your Air Filter Change

Ideally, you should change an air filter every three months. If you go longer than that you risk stressing your system and causing issues.

If your AC seems to be struggling the air filter is the first culprit to check.

Is Your AC Unit Hot?

One clear sign that your AC filter needs replacing is when the back of the unit is too hot. If the filter is very dirty, you may even feel warm air coming out of the back of the unit.

This will lead to more frequent AC repairs and, ultimately, shorten the lifespan of the unit.

Lessen the load by simply changing the AC filter regularly.

Is Your AC Not Cooling as Effectively?

You can attribute reduced HVAC efficiency to various problems. If you notice that your air conditioner isn’t cooling as it normally does or is blowing warm air, the first thing you should check is the AC filter.

If, however, the air filter is not the problem, an experienced HVAC service technician should investigate the problem and perform the required maintenance.

When the electricity bill starts to creep higher, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the cause. It could be a faulty appliance or a poorly functioning AC system.

However, if your electric bill is higher than normal, the culprit could be a dirty air filter. This is why preventative HVAC maintenance is so important.

Allergies Out of Control? Could Be Your Air Filter

Keeping your HVAC system well-maintained helps it operate more efficiently. As a result, it lowers your energy bill. Allergy sufferers should be particularly diligent when it comes to changing air filters.

When the filter becomes saturated with such pollutants, they’ll get blown out and circulated in the air throughout your home. As a result, you’ll suffer the misery of allergy attacks more frequently. Your home’s air conditioner can either impact your health positively or negatively. Use the AC system to improve your home’s indoor air quality rather than worsen it.

You should soon notice a decrease in symptoms.

Have You Noticed Dust Forming Faster on Your Furniture?

Another common sign of a dirty air filter is finding dust on surfaces and furniture near the vents. Compare these surfaces to other surfaces farther away. If the surfaces nearest the vents are dustier while others appear cleaner, it’s a sure sign that your air filter needs replacing.

If the sheet turns gray, you’ve got a filthy air filter.

The grayer the sheet, the dirtier the filter. The AC filter is not the most complicated part of an air conditioning system, yet it can drastically affect its efficiency and the air quality in your home.

Avoid these problems by remembering to check and replace your AC filters regularly.

The Air Filter is The Most Important, But Most Easily Forgotten, Component of Your HVAC System

Most people don’t think about their HVAC air filters very often, but it is one of the most important aspects of ensuring that the indoor air quality is at the highest quality level possible.

And that’s especially important given the fact that per an article on CNN.com, “air pollution causes one in nine deaths worldwide.” The issue is that many people just don’t know how to determine when it is time for a filter change, so they put it off until they see black dust and particles blowing from their vents, which is often several months too late.

“But when that air filter is clogged with dust and particles, it forces the entire heating and air conditioning system to work harder to circulate air, and it also blows dirty air throughout a space. Therefore, understanding when it’s time to change air filters is of vital importance in the quest for clean indoor air.”

Regular Maintenance and Scheduling of Your Air Filter Changes Will Keep Your HVAC Happy and Running Strong

As with any appliance, regular maintenance is key. Consider scheduling a delivery of air filters every 3 months to remind you it’s time to replace them.

You can always replace them sooner if the air quality seems to have degraded or your experiencing issues with the system. You should also invest in a regular maintenance plan for your HVAC with a professional.

Contact Trust Heating and Air today and we will be happy to help!