Regular maintenance is vital for ensuring that your air conditioning system maintains optimum performance and energy efficiency. A professional service can not only check that your system is operating correctly, but can also prolong the lifespan of your air conditioning. Without an annual service, you may find that the energy efficiency of your system starts to decline rapidly, increasing your energy bills while failing to deliver consistently cooled air. While this preventative maintenance should be performed by a professional, there is an important task that can be completed by any homeowner; replacing or cleaning the air filters.
The Vital Role of the AC Filter:
While they appear to be a minor component, your filters actually perform a vital role in your air conditioning system. The air filter prevents dirt, dust and other debris from entering the AC cabinet through the return vents. Should this debris make it into the system, it can impact efficiency and cause damage to major components.
When you air conditioner has been used consistently for a month in the summer, a clean filter can quickly become filled with lint, dust, and debris that will limit airflow in the system. A decrease in airflow can have a number of negative effects for your air conditioner. It causes airflow in the system to become sluggish, creating additional work for the unit. This increases running costs and can contribute to the coils freezing. If left unattended, your air conditioning will develop serious repair issues.
Changing the Filters:
Fortunately, changing the filters is easy. If there is a permanent filter in place, you will need to clean it regularly. During the summer or when the air conditioner is running regularly, you will need to clean or change your filters at least once a month. Most manufacturers recommend that filters are changed every 4 to 8 weeks. If you have any pets, or there are smokers in the house, you may find that you need to change your filters more frequently. The procedure for replacing the filters will vary according to your specific system. Your owner’s manual will detail the recommended frequency and process of how to change the filter. It is also important to use a genuine replacement filters. Although generic filters may look the same, they are not likely to be the same quality as a genuine manufacturer filter. Additionally, if they are not a perfect fit, this will allow dirt, dust, and other debris to slip through the gaps and enter into the system.
While regularly changing your filters is vital to ensuring your air conditioning is running at optimum efficiency and performance, this cannot replace regular servicing. A trained, experienced HVAC technician will be able to thoroughly check your system during a service, replacing any worn components before they can fail and cause a breakdown. This type of preventative maintenance is far less costly than waiting until your air conditioner breaks down and you need to call out an emergency service. Just don’t wait until your annual service to give your air conditioning filters some care and attention.