Taking a Look at AC and Furnace Filters
Furnace filters, also called air filters, are important parts that keep the air in your home clean and help your system last longer. However, many homeowners question whether AC and furnace filters are the same.
The simple answer to that question is YES. A furnace and AC filter are generally the same, which means if you have an HVAC system, you only need to change one filter all year. If you have separate heating and cooling systems, your furnace and air conditioner filters might need to be different.
The same rules apply even if you need separate filters because of how your old heating and cooling system is set up. The two have no difference regarding their work because they are both made to do the same thing.
Understanding What Air Filters Do
The only purpose of an air filter is to purify the air that enters your house when the blower fan is running. Every day, dust, dirt, and other things get sucked into homes. A blower moves the air around in your home, dispersing the particles around the air that end up in your furnace. The filter in your furnace prevents those particles from entering the ductwork and into the system, helping to clean the air inside your home.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Air Filter
Your home’s outdoor and indoor climates can alter your air quality at home, which affects how often your system needs an air filter replacement. Some furnace manufacturers will give you a specific time frame for their furnace filter replacement. Most of the time, the packaging for a new filter will also tell you how long it should last. Use that date as “the absolute maximum” and change yours earlier, as it’s the best way to prevent a clogged air filter.
Most professionals recommend that you physically inspect your filter once a month to know when it needs to be changed. If you see any dust or dog hair on the filter, you are overdue for an AC filter replacement.
If you use a high-quality air filter and replace it more frequently, you can lessen the symptoms of allergies. Coughing, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms can worsen if there is an abundance of dust, pet dander, or other allergens in the air indoors.
Are There Benefits to Replacing Your Air Filters on Time?
Check and replace your HVAC filter regularly. A dirty air filter doesn’t catch pollen, dust mites, and other airborne particles, meaning more particles are recirculated for breathing.
Dust and other impurities can enter the HVAC system since it cannot adequately filter the air. As an effect, an air conditioning unit’s fan motors and valves become jammed with dust. Restrictions on airflow put stress on the system, which will use more energy to get past the barrier. This is how dust reduces the unit’s energy efficiency to a minimum and can cause malfunctions.
About Cleary Plumbing & Air
Cleary Plumbing & Air is a local family-owned AC and plumbing business founded over 25 years ago by Paul Cleary because he knew a small family-owned business could provide better service than a big corporation. Cleary Plumbing & Air offers 24-hour service and guarantees every job with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, or you get your money back! Qualified technicians arrive on time and are ready to work. Call them today for air filter replacement services in West Palm Beach, FL!
