How Often Should My Air Filter Be Changed?

Air FilterWhether you’re a new homeowner in New Jersey or maybe you’ve just never been in charge of household maintenance before, it’s important to maintain a schedule of certain things such as when to change your HVAC air filter.

Trap the Dust

An air filter is an important part of your heating and cooling system that ensures dirt particles in the air aren’t circulated throughout your house. Things like dead skin, dust, pollen, and feathers accumulate as the air is circulated and is sucked into the HVAC unit. There are times of year that your house may accumulate more dust and debris than normal, like in the spring when pollen is travelling through the air and neighborhood construction projects are ramping up.

Depending on the cleanliness of your home and the area around it, a HVAC air filter should be changed on a monthly basis to prevent stress on your heating and cooling systems. A clogged filter can lead to breakdowns in your system as it has to work harder to move air throughout your home. In addition, a clogged air filter also leads to slower air flow which causes the motor and other parts to struggle and labor to move air.

What Type of Filter Do You Need?

Buying the correct replacement filter is also very important for it to function properly. If you’re unsure about what filter to buy you can bring the existing filter with you when you purchase a new one – or just snap a picture of it with your phone. Alternatively, a heating and cooling company such as Point Bay that offers annual or bi-annual service and maintenance on your cooling and heating systems can replace it and advise you on what to purchase next for optimum efficiency.

If you don’t use your heating and cooling systems very often then you won’t need to change the filter as often, and investing in a few reusable filters might be the best choice. They’re fairly easy to clean and in the end are more environmentally friendly than disposable ones. There are also ways to minimize the impact on your filter and furnace, such as keeping your windows closed and keeping the dust down in your home by vacuuming and dusting regularly. This will help extend the life of each filter.

Home Maintenance

Performing regular maintenance on your home is essential to its efficiency and safety, as well as to maintaining and increasing its value. Things like changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, cleaning out the gutters, and changing your HVAC air filter will help you avoid damage to your home and expensive HVAC replacement costs.

Regular Air Conditioning Service

A yearly Point Bay Fuel AC Tune-Up can save you money, prevent problems and extend the life of your air conditioning system. To keep your system operating at peak performance, our Platinum service plan includes the following:
• Prepare the whole system for summer operation
• Inspect and adjust refrigerant controls
• Inspect and adjust temperature controls Inspect safety controls
• Check for refrigerant and oil leaks
• Check belts and adjust tensions
• Check air filters
• Check and record operating pressures
• Inspect and lubricate electric motors
• Check compressor, evaporator motor, condenser motor, amperage and voltage
• Clean lint and dirt from air-cooled condensers.

Breath Clean

Overall, keeping your home clean and regularly changing your furnace filter will ensure that you and your family are breathing clean air day and night.