The Importance of Filter Replacement

HVAC filters and the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield have a lot in common. They both can tout, “I don’t get no respect!” Most people don’t realize how pivotal the HVAC filter is to both their homes and their HVAC system. Here in Washington you may only think about your filter when the seasons change, particularly transitioning from the warmer temperatures of summer to the cooler temps of fall, but filters need more attention than that all year long. Like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star® program, our HVAC professionals at West Mechanical Inc. recommend replacing your filter as frequently as every month, but at the very least every three months. And here’s why:

Four Reasons to Replace Your Filter

• Keeps your indoor air quality (IAQ) high. The air you breathe inside your home isn’t always of the highest quality, but by changing your filter on a monthly basis, it goes a long way to help it. Here are a couple statistics for you. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Americans now spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors. And according to the EPA, our indoor air is two to five times as toxic as our outdoor air. These indoor pollutants cause or can worsen allergies and respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, as well as other long-term conditions and diseases like heart disease and cancer. With information like this, keeping the air you breathe in your home as clean as possible needs to be a priority. Changing your HVAC filter monthly will go a long way in keeping those toxic particles out of your lungs.
• Extends your HVAC system’s life. By changing your filter on a regular basis, you can help extend the life of your HVAC system. A dirty filter is the most common reason for breakdowns in furnaces and air conditioners. With a clogged filter, the air can’t get through, causing the system and its motor to work harder. When everything has to work harder than it’s designed to, it causes your system stress––and stressors like this decrease your system’s lifespan.
• Saves you money. Despite the argument that changing your filter on a monthly basis costs you more money, in actuality, regularly changing your filter saves you money. By giving your HVAC system clean filters, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat or cool your home. This saves you money in a few ways. First, your system is working as it should and won’t need repairs as often, saving you money. Second, when your system isn’t clogged from dirty filters, your system is again running smoothly, thereby not having to work harder. When it does work harder, it uses more energy. So when it’s running efficiently, it’s running in an energy-efficient manner, saving you money. Third, when your system is clean, its lifespan is increased (from not having to work harder), so you won’t need to replace the system earlier than scheduled, again, saving you money.
• Leaves a green footprint. Being a good steward of Mother Earth and all her resources is more important than ever. When your filter is dirty and causing your system to work harder since it’s stressed, a lot of carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gasses by extension are being released into the atmosphere. HVAC systems nowadays are designed to run efficiently, in an eco-friendly manner, so you’ll be doing your part just by changing your filter.

Now plain to see, so much of your HVAC system’s health, as well as yours, depends on a clean filter. This common item has mighty power and certainly deserves more attention, and respect, than it usually receives. Give it that attention by replacing it on a regular basis, and the dividends will outweigh the investment. If you have any concerns or questions about your HVAC system’s filter, speak to one of our West Mechanical technicians today.

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