The Importance of Replacing Your Air Filter

When it comes to keeping your home's air clean and free from airborne contaminants, the air filter plays a critical role. It helps to trap dust, pollen, and other allergens in its mesh material as air passes through it. But if you don't replace your air filter regularly, the consequences can be serious.

Why You Should Change Your Air Filter

A clogged or dirty filter can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system by making it harder for air to pass through. This means that your system has to work harder and use more energy than necessary, leading to higher energy bills. Additionally, a blocked filter can cause damage to other components of the HVAC system due to lack of proper airflow.

Moreover, a dirty or clogged filter can lead to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). As fewer pollutants are removed from the air when the filter is blocked with debris, this can result in an increase in dust, pollen, and other allergens in the home, which may aggravate allergies and asthma.

How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?

The frequency with which you should change your air filter depends on several factors, such as the type of filter you have installed in your home's HVAC system, the size and layout of your house, the number of pets you have, whether anyone smokes inside, etc. Generally speaking, though, it is recommended that you replace your air filter every 90 days for optimal performance.

What Happens If You Don't Change Your Air Filter?

If you fail to change your air filters regularly, then there could be some serious repercussions. Not only will this lead to higher energy costs due to reduced efficiency, but it can also cause damage to other components due to inadequate airflow. Furthermore, poor IAQ could result from fewer pollutants being removed from the atmosphere, which may worsen allergies or asthma symptoms.

Conclusion

It is important that homeowners take into account all factors when deciding how often they should change their filters – usually every 90 days – as not doing so could lead to not only increased costs but also health risks. Therefore, replacing an old or clogged-up filter should be done on a regular basis for optimal performance.