To keep your A/C system efficient and effective, it’s vital that you check your HVAC filter frequently. In the Los Angeles area it’s extremely important to keep particulate matter and pollutants out of your house; if you allow your filter to get too clogged, it will not only prevent your system from cooling properly, it will cost you more money.
The Department of Energy will be the first to tell you that regular maintenance of your HVAC system is a priority in order to have good air conditioning performance and minimize energy use. Whether you utilize inexpensive replaceable filters or a cleanable electronic filter, you would do well to check your HVAC filter six times a year. If your A/C is running continuously, you might want to do this every month, especially when it heats up in Southern California. An obstructed filter can impede normal airflow, lessening your system’s efficiency by carrying dirt, pollen, hair, dust and dander into the evaporator coil and preventing it from absorbing the heat in your house. Making sure your filter is clean will reduce your A/C use of energy by up to 15 percent!
If the contaminants on the outside of your filter get too great and the airflow is diminished, the blower motor has to work harder, taking longer to bring down the air temperature. Components of the air handler will also run hotter, shortening their working life. And in the worst case, too much built-up dust can actually ignite, causing a dangerous fire hazard. You should check your HVAC manual to determine which filter you can use that affords the highest MERV rating (minimum efficiency reporting value). A MERV rating of 9-12 is the best for a residence; each filter provides their ranking on a yellow label. The specialist-installed electronic filters can be easily cleaned in your dishwasher, giving the most absorption of pollutants; they are more efficient than throwaway filters.
So check your HVAC filter! For more information, contact Around The Clock Air Conditioning and Heating, serving the Los Angeles area with sales, installation, repair and maintenance since 1967.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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