(BPT) – When’s the last time you changed your HVAC’s air filter? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Dirty air filters are one of the top reasons for HVAC service calls. This common – yet easy to fix – problem could be sabotaging your indoor air quality and the life of your HVAC.
Replacing the air filter is a necessary step in maintaining your home’s air quality and keeping your HVAC system running smoothly, but it’s often forgotten. When filters aren’t replaced often enough, you’ll get dirt and debris buildup, resulting in a series of issues – all unpleasant, some serious.
Here are four reasons why you should change your HVAC’s air filter on a regular schedule, from the pros at Trane Residential.
Improve indoor air quality. It makes perfect sense that air getting forced through a dirty filter is going to pick up those dirty particles and swirl them through your home. Poor indoor air quality is a silent, invisible irritant that can cause big problems like respiratory issues, asthma attacks, poor sleep quality, eye irritation, fatigue, and even difficulty doing strenuous things around the house. Getting winded going up and down the stairs to do laundry? It might be the result of poor indoor air quality.
Lower energy bills. Notice your bill creeping up for no apparent reason? A dirty air filter could be the cause! Replacing that filter can lower your energy consumption by up to 15%, according to the Department of Energy.
Elevate indoor comfort. If your air filter is clogged, it restricts the air from properly flowing throughout your home. That means you’re not getting the cool air you need, where you need it, especially on hot summer days.
Decreased risk of serious HVAC problems. Dirty, clogged air filters can lead to blower motors overheating, evaporator coils icing up, dust building up in the ductwork, short cycling of the unit and more. These costly fixes can result in system downtime.
Changing your air filters more often seems like a no-brainer, but how often should you do it? The pros at Trane Residential recommend that a good rule of thumb is to change your filter every 30 to 90 days, but double check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Regularly cleaning and changing your filter will ensure the best filtration, increase the life of your system, and give you peace of mind that you’re breathing clean air!
All of that said, there’s a reason dirty air filters are a top service call for HVAC pros – homeowners forget to do it. A foolproof solution is to let Trane remind you, with Trane® Filters powered by FilterTime. Here’s how it works: First, you choose your filter sizes and delivery schedule, then you get your new filters delivered to your doorstep automatically, reminding you it’s time to pop them into your system. And just like that, you’re ensured clean air for your family and your home.
If you’re ready to make a larger investment into your home’s air quality, check out Trane’s CleanEffects Whole Home Air Cleaner. It sets the standard in indoor air quality, using patented, breakthrough air cleaning technology to remove up to 99.98% of airborne particles and allergens from the air that passes through the filter. It catches particles as small as .3 microns, with minimal restriction on the airflow of your HVAC system, making it 8 times more effective than even the best HEPA room filters and up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1-inch filter at delivering clean air to your home.
This summer, do yourself a favor and prioritize your air quality. Time to clear the air and stay cool.
