If you are like most Winston-Salem, North Carolina homeowners, you aren’t thinking about your heating and air conditioning system until it stops functioning the way it should. Did you know that one of the biggest reasons behind a HVAC system complication is clogged air filters? Many homeowners often neglect their air filters because they don’t know just how important they are to their HVAC system and to their indoor air quality. Keep reading below to learn about the major consequences of not changing your air filters on a regular basis.
How Do Air Filters Work?
Your home air filters are typically made of fiberglass or pleated paper surrounded by a cardboard frame. They are inserted into specific places in your HVAC system and they act as a barrier to prevent harmful contaminants and pollutants from circulating throughout the air in your Winston-Salem, NC home. Air filters are wonderful for catching dust, pollen, lint, mold, hair, dander, bacteria, and more!
How Often Should Air Filters Be Changed?
This is a tricky question because it truthfully depends. Some homes need to change their air filters every month while other homes need to change their filters every three months. That’s why the general rule of thumb is to change them every 1 to 3 months. The air filters in a home with no pets and only a few people living in it need to be changed out every 3 months. With one pet, your filters need to be changed out every 2 months. Because there are many homes with many different living situations, we suggest checking your air filters once a month and then change them out when you notice they are getting dirty/clogged.
What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Air Filters?
When your air filters are not regularly changed, they get clogged up by the buildup of contaminants and particles that the filters are catching. Yes, your air filters are built to sustain some buildup, but they are also built to be regularly changed. When buildup happens, your air filters can no longer catch harmful particles from floating through your air which means those contaminants are now floating throughout your home. Additionally, clogged and dirty air filters act as a blockage for your home HVAC system. Your HVAC system has to work harder to push air through your ductwork since your air filters are blocking the air in your ductwork. That means your energy bills will increase and your heating and cooling system will have unnecessary wear and tear which can lead to early breakdowns or costly repairs.
In order to prevent poor temperature regulation, higher energy bills, lower indoor air quality, and HVAC system failures, be sure you are regularly checking and changing the air filters in your Winston-Salem, North Carolina home. If you need additional help with your heating and air conditioning system, give Gwyn Services a call today! Our team is always ready and willing to help our customers in the greater Winston-Salem, NC area.
