“Changing your HVAC filter…”
“Checking your HVAC system…”
“Getting your HVAC system serviced…”
You know that the HVAC system in your home is important, and you know it affects the air quality as well as your safety and comfort. You also know that just about every article, hand-out and pamphlet will tell you to change the filters regularly.
But let’s back up a minute. There might be some essential things you didn’t know about your HVAC system, and we’re not going to assume that ANYTHING is “standard knowledge.” Instead, we’ll back up to the very basics so you can feel confident about what we’re talking about when we come to your home, and so you can understand exactly why this system needs service—and when.
What’s included in the HVAC system?
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning in your home is lumped together as “HVAC.” This means your furnace, ducts and air conditioner all have everything to do with one another.
The HVAC system is one of the biggest consumers of energy in your home, meaning that even small tweaks can mean big savings over time.
HVAC flow also affects your air quality. Did you know that air in the home, on average, is 10 times more polluted than outside air? This is especially true in a town like ours. Forget pollution, forget contaminants—if your HVAC system isn’t clean (filters, ducts) and fully functional, you could be breathing in anything from the old homeowners to a pound of extra dust a year.
How often do I really need to change HVAC filters?
We’re not going to give you any absolutes, because there are factors that get missed in so many “how to” articles and advertisements. The frequency of changing the filters on your furnace or A/C will depend on two things that aren’t always talked about:
- Manufacturer recommendations
- The time of year
If you aren’t sure about the manufacturer recommendations (or have a system that was installed before you got there), we can help you hunt down the best information from the maker.
And, naturally, we use our heating and cooling A LOT in the winter and summer around O’Fallon and Shiloh. The spread of temperatures over the year here is brutal. This means that summer and winter months require more filter use as air is pumped around your home. As long as you’re using the system daily, it’s important to change filters out every month. When you aren’t using the systems as much, you can sometimes wait as long as three months before dropping clean HVAC filters into your system.
If you’re due for an upgrade to a new system, depending on your home and your preferences you might be able to consider an entirely new type of system altogether. There are single and multi-staged systems, zoned systems, and humidity control to look at—but that’s not “101” material, so call us to talk more.
You can visit Filter Fetch to learn more about how often filters are changed AND how to get them delivered to your door automatically. We know how to make the process as easy as possible so you don’t even have to think about it.
Have questions? Find us on Facebook to start the conversation.
