HVAC

Baby, it’s cold outside! And if you’re firing up your home’s heating system, this is a good time to change your air filters. 

It’s normal to smell dust burning off the first time you use your heating system for the season. But if your filters are dirty, the dust will be more likely to make its way through to the heat exchanger, which can impede its operation. The HVAC filter plays an important role in the protection and efficiency of your HVAC system, as well as maintaining the quality of the air in your home.

Manage Your Indoor Air Quality

When we think about air quality, we generally think about pollution levels outside. But in reality, we spend the majority of our time inside, and during the pandemic, that means many of us are spending virtually all of our time at home. 

According to the EPA, indoor air is 70% more polluted than the air outside, and poor indoor air quality is among the top risks to public health. Changing your HVAC air filter is a great way to minimize the risk. 

Air filtration happens as it is brought back into the HVAC equipment to be “cleaned” and then redistributed. Your air filter traps and holds a wide range of particles and contaminants that affect the quality of the air you breathe and, ultimately, your health:

• Animal Dander and Fur
• Dust
• Lint and Other Fibers
• Microorganisms and Bacteria
• Mold and Mold Spores
• Pollen

As your air filter becomes full of debris, your air quality will continually decrease, and your HVAC system will run less efficiently. When your system is working harder to heat or cool your home, it also uses more energy.

How Often Do You Need to Change Your HVAC Filters? 

Your system’s manufacturer will have a recommendation for the frequency of replacement, but the general rule of thumb is every one to three months. It’s also a good idea to visually inspect your filters on a regular basis, to see if they look dirty. During the peak seasons of summer and winter when your system is working harder than normal, it’s a good idea to check more frequently.

• Your filters may also need to be changed more often if you:
• Live near a factory
• Live near a freeway or in a busy urban area
• Live in an area where wildfires have been burning
• Have pets
• Have several people living in your home
• Have people in your home with asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions
• Have recently installed new carpeting

Changing your HVAC filters is an easy and inexpensive way to create healthier indoor air for your family, save on energy bills and increase your system’s efficiency and longevity. 

Breathe Easy With an HVAC Maintenance Check

If you’re unsure of the last time your air filter was replaced, we’d be happy to help. The experts at 20/20 Plumbing & Heating will help you choose and install the best air filter for your home. Give us a call at (844) 676-2020.

From our 20/20 family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!