Changing The Air Filter: The Best Way To Care For An HVAC System

If you want to ensure that your HVAC system works well all year, the best thing to do is to make sure that you are changing the air filter on a consistent basis. Almost nothing else that a homeowner can do is going to have the same impact on the system’s overall health and ability to function as desired. Best of all, no matter what types of filters you need, they are not going to be expensive and they are very easy to change.

Why Could You Have a Clogged Air Filter?
The reason why you need to check your air filter’s condition is simple: The air in your home is not perfectly clean, especially near the floor. This is where the cold air returns usually are, and they are an integral part of the system, bringing air to the furnace. It is the filter’s job to clean that air before it is exposed to heat. This means that the filter has to get rid of pet hair, dust, dirt and anything else that has gotten into the system.

What Does the Clogged Air Filter Do?
Before changing the air filter, you may notice a number of different issues with the system. Remember that the blower fan is tasked with blowing the air through the filter, so it may not be able to do so as efficiently as needed if the filter is caked with debris. On top of that, this can cause the furnace to overheat. The high limit switch is probably going to kick in before that happens, turning your furnace off. A dirty air filter also means that the air that does get through could just pick up more dust and dirt, which you then breathe in or find as a thin layer on exposed surfaces.

Getting the Right Types of Filters
There are two main types of filters that are used. A rather uncommon version is a filter that fits in right behind the vents. You could have dozens of these in the house, depending on how many vents you have. Far more common is a single, larger filter that is hooked into the ductwork. You can find it right on the side of the furnace. Make sure that you figure out the exact size that you need and that you understand which direction it should point, toward or away from that furnace.

Preventing Breakdowns
Just changing the clogged air filter, which takes two minutes and should not cost you more than ten dollars, can prevent breakdowns. It keeps the furnace from shutting off due to the high limit switch and it keeps the blower fan from wearing out. This easy job can save you a lot of money.

Jodi Hugoe