When the summer cooling season sets in, homeowners are likely to think about finding ways to stay cool without having to spend a lot of money on energy bills. One of the best ways to ensure that your home is comfortable, and keep energy bills at manageable levels, is to change your filter regularly.
Your air-conditioning system needs a clean filter for two primary reasons.
Keeping your equipment clean
Manufacturers designed heating and cooling equipment to operate under certain conditions, and one of those conditions is that the equipment itself must be clean in order to perform at peak efficiency. That’s why your air conditioner comes equipped with a filter; a filter with a clean filter space will trap dust and debris before it can enter your air conditioner.
So, it makes sense that if the A/C has to use the same filter for a long time, it will eventually become too full to trap dust and debris, which will then easily sidestep the filter and move right into the equipment. And buildup forces the A/C to work harder to overcome that dirt, consuming more energy to do so.
Ensuring airflow
Another goal that the filter is designed to reach is optimal airflow, which must be balanced with its dust-trapping capabilities. You see, if a filter’s material is too dense, it will trap a bunch of particles, but it will also restrict the amount of air that can move through the air conditioner. As a result of reduced airflow, the A/C will have to work that much harder and consume more energy to keep your home cooled.
The general rule of thumb for how often you should change your filter during cooling season depends on your needs. At minimum, you should change your filter every three months, but many experts advise homeowners to use a new filter every month when your air conditioner is running continuously.
For optimal energy savings and airflow during the cooling season, remember to change your system’s air filter. For expert advice, contact Around The Clock Air Conditioning & Heating today! We serve residents of greater Los Angeles.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about the saving energy during the cooling season and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Around the Clock Air Conditioning & Heating services Los Angeles, North Hollywood and the surrounding areas in California. Visit our website to see our current specials and get started today!