Heating and Cooling Filters Never Get a Break – Change Them Every 3 Months

The performance of your heating and cooling system is greatly affected by the condition of the air filters. As air flows in and out of your system, the filter traps particles like pet dander, pollen, dust mites and dirt, and removes them from the air. Over time, dirt builds up on the filter like this:

Dirty, clogged filters block normal air flow and affect overall performance, but they also increase energy consumption. If you keep the filter in your heating and cooling system clean, you can reduce its energy consumption by 5-15 percent.

Dirty filters also:

• Compromise the quality of your air.
• Reduce the amount of air flowing into the system. This forces the fan motor to work harder and consume more energy, and you pay more money to stay comfortable.
• Shorten the life of the motor because it works too hard. Once again, you pay money to have it prematurely replaced.
• Cause the temperature of your furnace to rise as a result of reduced air flow. This places stress on the heat exchanger which may cause it to crack or allow lethal carbon monoxide to leak into your home.Filters should be checked every month. If they are dirty, replace them. At a minimum, air filters should be changed every 3 months.Many types of air filters are available. For your heating and cooling system to provide optimal performance, it’s important to use the correct type and size of filter. Often, the most efficient filters are not suitable for all systems. See which type of filter your owner’s manual recommends.