| Central heating and air conditioning units have | | | | the value, the better the filter is at removing dust |
| become extremely popular, almost to the point | | | | particles and contaminants from the air. |
| that people may take it for granted. 80% of new | | | | System Performance |
| homes built in the United States are fitted with | | | | The second function your air filter serves is to |
| these systems. | | | | keep you're A/C running smoothly. A clean air |
| With some simple maintenance, you can enjoy | | | | filter is vital to have your air conditioner working |
| your HVAC system for many years, and can | | | | efficiently as possible. By trapping and removing |
| avoid costly repair costs in the future. Among the | | | | the dust particles from the airflow, it prevents |
| most important of these preventative steps you | | | | these particles from schmutzing up the other |
| can do is to routinely change the air filter. | | | | elements of the A/C system. |
| The air filter in your home's A/C system is | | | | Dirty air filters may cause problems in several |
| located at the intake points of the ventilation. | | | | areas of the system. Ice may build up on the |
| There are many different types, the most | | | | evaporator coils if there is not sufficient airflow. |
| common being disposable and pleated. These | | | | This will cause decreased performance, and may |
| filters serve two main purposes. The first is to | | | | damage the coils. |
| remove contaminates from the home's air, and | | | | Clogged air filters can also cause problems with |
| the second is to keep the system working | | | | the compressor, which is very expensive to |
| smoothly. | | | | repair. Clogged airflow causes the compressor to |
| Air Quality | | | | have to work harder, causing it to fail sooner. |
| As the air circulates throughout your home, the | | | | Also, decreased airflow due to unclean filters can |
| air filter will remove harmful contaminates, dust | | | | cause energy costs to rise as much as 20%. |
| particles, pet dander, etc. from the air. In one | | | | Replacement |
| study, air inside a home was shown to be up to 5 | | | | It is recommended to inspect your home's air |
| times more deleterious to one's health than the air | | | | filter every month. If the filter is dirty, then it |
| outside, when not properly filtered. This is because | | | | should be discarded and replaced immediately. |
| modern homes are built so airtight that these | | | | Replaceable filters are available that only need to |
| harmful irritants cannot escape the building. | | | | be cleaned when they get dirty. In any case, |
| Air filters are rated on their ability to remove | | | | filters should not be left more than three months |
| these contaminants by their assigned MERV | | | | without replacement or cleaning. |
| (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). The higher | | | | |