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When Should You Change Your HVAC Filter?

By February 24, 2014February 15th, 2018HVAC

Even though winter isn’t over yet and summer is still a few months away, your HVAC filter still needs to be changed regularly. Your filter is the first line of defense against dust and allergens circulating throughout your home by way of your furnace or air conditioner.

You should check your filter regularly, especially during the months that your HVAC system is being used most. Cold winters and hot summers mean more time spent indoors, increasing the time you breathe indoor air. Missing a filter change can mean irritated sinuses and worsened allergies.

It is generally a good idea to check and even replace standard fiberglass filters every month. Washable filters should also be cleaned every month. The amount of time between filter changes can depend on many factors, including the size of your home, whether you have pets, whether you or someone you live with is a smoker, and how sensitive you are to allergens.

Having a clean filter will not only make for fresher air, but it will also help your HVAC system to work more efficiently. A dirty filter will not allow as much air to pass through as a clean one, which will then make the entire system have to work harder in order to keep up. Over time, this can make for higher energy bills.

Checking and replacing an HVAC filter is fairly simple. Every heating and air conditioning system is different, but it is usually as easy as pulling out the old filter near the blower unit, looking for buildup of dust and debris, and sliding a new one of the correct size in its place according to the instructions on the filter.

Contact BR McGinty if you would like a professional to check and change your HVAC filter or if you have other HVAC needs. We serve all of central Arkansas 24 hours a day with any heating, air conditioning, and plumbing installation and maintenance issues.