Clean air filters are essential in keeping your indoor air healthy and fresh. Unclean air filters can cause your HVAC issues and eventually break down.
However, by taking the necessary precautions, you enjoy clean air and prolong the life of your HVAC. We will share below how to get the most out of your air filters.
When we just moved into our new home last year, the first thing that my husband wanted to do was change the air filters and clean the vents. I am SO glad that we did because you would not BELIEVE what we found inside!
There was mld living in our vents and filters that the previous home owners were constantly breathing in. I am so grateful that we changed those right away!
Clean Vents and Replace Air Filters
You may have your cleaning routine perfected and notice that your house still feels dusty. This happens when you don’t replace your filters regularly. However, it also occurs when the filter is full of dust, dander, and other pollutants.
The air can not flow through the filter well, which starts to affect the HVAC and causes it to break down. Therefore, set reminders on your phone or a calendar. So you do not forget to change the filters.
For individuals with allergies or asthma, it’s even more crucial to change the filters. This is because the irritants such as pollen and dust are still in the air.
You may notice you are sneezing or coughing more than usual it’s always best to check with a doctor. However, it could be dirty filters.
The average young homeowner may not know that this is a normal thing, but you should actually be changing your air filters every 3 months. It is well worth the time and money spent!
Some believe that filters are an extra expense. Nonetheless, they could be causing your energy bills to be more expensive than usual.
This is because your system has to work harder to reach the desired temperature. The good news is that you can change your system’s filters even without technical know-how.
But if you feel like you can or need additional maintenance, you may want to consider working with heating and cooling specialists in Columbus, OH, such as those at cwaohio.com, one of the oldest companies in the area.
Types of Filters
The type of filter makes a difference in how often you need to replace the filter.
If you opt for a fiberglass filter, they are easy to get your hands on. However, they are inefficient as they do not pick up smaller particles, meaning they need replacing every 30 days.
Washable filters are a great way to be sustainable. Although, once you wash them, you must wait until they are fully dried before restoring them to the HVAC.
This means that your air conditioning is off for a few hours and is slightly inconvenient.
Pleated filters are a good option as they trap the most particles due to their pleat structure. HEPA filter structure is on the more expensive side, but they trap 99.97% of particles. Hence, they are a good option for allergies and asthma.
MERV
The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) indicates how much pollutants are removable from the air. The MERV ranges from one to twenty, with twenty filtered more of the air.
A MERV of one to four is not the best option. They only pick up larger particles.
An eight MERV is the most popular as they pick up most pollutants. A MERV 11 is beneficial for those with animals as it picks up most dander, dust, etc.
Opting for a MERV of 13 or higher should only be used if necessary, as it can cause damage to the HVAC as it picks up even the smallest particles!
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
