Have you ever wondered why you have to change your air filter regularly? Here are a few reasons why changing your air filter at least every 90 days is so important.
Changing your air filter is a home maintenance task that is often overlooked because
- It’s hidden, it’s not something we see every day
- The effects of not changing your filter are not obvious
You might be thinking: what’s the big deal? Do I REALLY need to change them that frequently? Here’s what happens when you do not change your air filter regularly.
System Inefficiency & Failure:
When your air filter is dirty and clogged with debris, air cannot flow through properly. This is the #1 reason for system inefficiency and failure. The added strain on the fan motor can cause it to overheat and eventually fail to operate. In the meantime, stressing the system forces more energy consumption leading to higher electricity costs and utility bills.
Poor Air Quality:
Today’s air filters are specially designed to remove many harmful contaminants from indoor air. Dirty air filters decrease contaminate catching efficiency of the filter media. Depending on the MERV rating you choose, contaminants that are removed include:
- Lint and Dust
- Pollen
- Pet Dander
- Mold
- Dust Mites
- Auto Emissions
- Smoke
- Bacteria
Dirty House:
Dirt, dust, and debris from dirty air filters cause heating and air conditioning system and air ducts to become dirty faster. This dirt and dust, in turn, will be re-circulated into your home out of the ventilation systems causing a much dustier living space.
Bad for the Environment:
Dirty air filters increase your carbon footprint because they force the system to work harder using more energy.
As you can see there are legitimate reasons why it is necessary to replace your furnace and air filters on a regular basis. Improving indoor air quality by removing harmful contaminants, keeping your house clean longer, saving money on high utility bills and decreasing your carbon footprint are all good reasons to make sure you replace your filters. Most require either monthly changes or every 3 months. This will depend on the type of filter you use.
Need a new air filter? At FiltersFast.com we have both standard and custom sized filters, a variety of MERV ratings and brands to choose from. Don’t wait, make changing your air filter regularly a habit TODAY!
This blog post is approved by the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) because it aligns with their mission to educate end-users about the importance of air filtration. To learn more about NAFA, click here.
Katie says
Hi Mike,
Thank you for reaching out to us. There are different filtration levels available for people with different needs. We typically categorize this as Good, Better, Best with respective MERV ratings 8, 11, and 13. If you would like the best airflow out of these I would recommend a MERV 8. We recommend pleated filters over fiberglass filters for several reasons. Please visit the following link for more information: https://www.filtersfast.com/P-$2000-Premium-Fiberglass-Air-Filter.asp
Mike White says
I’ve noticed some air filters are really thick. Although this might filter better, doesn’t this put a strain on the unit. It has to be harder to pump air through this type of filter. I always use the type that allows air to pass through freely. What day you?