The air filter in your air conditioning system is fairly easy to change. Usually, the filter is located behind a return grille in a central location in the home. In some cases, you need to look on the blower unit itself. All that’s left to do is to find a replacement filter, toss out the old one, and secure the new one into place. With reusable filters, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
But is this process really necessary each and every month? If your air conditioning system gets any use at all throughout the month, the answer is usually a yes. A dirty air filter can affect the performance and efficiency of an air conditioning system, costing you far more in the long run than the small cost of a new filter. Read on for details.
How a Clogged Filter Affects Your Air Conditioner
The air filter is useful for two important reasons: your health and the performance of the system. Most people know that the air filter is able to trap some common allergens to stop them from circulating through the home over and over again. But many don’t realize that the main purpose of the air filter is to protect the system from damage in the form of debris knocking against the blower unit.
As the blower fan sucks in air from around your home through the return vent to be cooled or heated, most particles get trapped within the filter. But if the filter is too clogged, the blower fan has trouble drawing in any air at all. This reduced airflow has a major effect on the air conditioning system. The indoor coil may freeze, the fan motor can become overworked, and you’ll pay higher energy bills for a system that is using more energy than it generally needs.
Changing your filter each and every month helps to protect your system and keep you from calling the repair technician as often. Along with regular professional maintenance visits, this can extend the lifespan of your system and keep you more comfortable all season long.
For more information about the air filter, contact our professionals today. We also recommend that you schedule a tune-up for a more thorough cleaning of the system. And right now, we are offering a $59 tune-up special to customers in the St. Augustine area. Give AC Designs Inc. a call. We will deliver above your expectations!
904-829-8898