Three Ways Your AC Filter Makes Your Life Better
Posted on: 21 July 2017
If you're like most homeowners, the filter on your air conditioning system isn't something that crossed your mind on a regular basis. In fact, you probably don't think about it at all until and unless an air conditioning malfunction occurs. However, paying attention to your ac conditioner's filter is an excellent preventative maintenance strategy that can help prevent a variety of problems. Following are just three of the ways that clean, intact air conditioner filters help improve your quality of life.
Clean Filters Help Keep You Healthy
Air conditioner filters work by trapping indoor air particulates, therefore taking them out of circulation. These particulates include dust mites, dander from domestic pets, mold spores, and pollen. When your filter is dirty or clogged, these particulates are being circulated throughout your home rather than being trapped by the filter, which can create a miserable situation if you or any other member of your household suffers from allergies. If you've got a HEPA filter installed in your air conditioning unit to provide an extra layer of protection against pollen particulates, keep in mind that these need to be cleaned or replaced more often than their traditional counterparts because they trap a greater number of particulates.
Because summer tends to have more atmospheric humidity than other seasons, it also provides a ripe environment for the development of mold and mildew colonies -- and certain types of mold can cause serious health problems for some, even those who typically do not have allergic reactions to pollen or other substances. Dirty or clogged filters can also have a negative impact on the dehumidifier component of your air conditioning unit, creating an even more welcoming environment for mold and mildew colonies to get a stronghold in your home.
Clean Filters Help Keep You Safe
A clogged air conditioning filter can cause your unit to overheat, and in extreme cases, this could result in household fires. However, this isn't the only safety hazard that a malfunctioning air conditioner can cause. A faulty filter can cause the compressor component of your air conditioner to fail, and this means that you'll be without AC until a service professional can get to your home -- and during summer heat waves, you may end up having to wait for an appointment. In the meantime, you'll undoubtedly be tempted to leave windows and doors open to let a cooling breeze into your home interior, especially as temperatures begin to drop at nightfall -- and thieves and other potential home intruders look for just this type of situation.
Clean Filters Help You Save Money
An air conditioner with a dirty or clogged filter has to work much harder to keep household temperatures down -- and this results in higher overall utility costs. However, along with rising power bills, you'll also experience an increase in general wear and tear on your AC unit, which will result in higher repair costs, and will eventually cause it to need to be replaced sooner than if it had been properly maintained.
The type of air conditioning system that you have as well as the specific kind of filter that it requires will act as a guide on how often your filter should be replaced. However, it's always best to err on the side of caution and replace the filter sooner than you think you should rather than waiting until it's become clogged or dirty, especially during periods of high usage. Your air conditioning filter may also need to be changed more often if you have pets in the home. Please feel free to reach out to a local HVAC contractor, such as Dick Kearsley Service Center, for more information on how to keep our AC unit in great working order.
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