Our air conditioners have worked hard this year, and we owe it to them to treat these systems with respect! Air conditioners are designed to last a while, even working in our climate where heat and humidity are a near constant. With the amount of stress we put on them, they still need a bit of maintenance every now and then to keep them running efficiently and effectively.
No, we’re not talking about scheduling a maintenance appointment today (although that’s a great idea if you’re interested), we’re talking about maintenance that we encourage homeowners to do themselves–changing the air filter! Dirty air filters can lead to a whole host of problems, some of which require air conditioning service in Siesta Key, FL. We’re keen on avoiding that outcome, so we want customers to know everything they can about the air filter.
What is it, why is it so important, and how do you change it?
What Is the Air Filter?
Every air conditioning unit uses an air filter. This is because they must treat the air in a home, which can sometimes be inundated with particles like dust, debris, hair, dander, and even dirt or smoke. These air filters are designed to protect the interior components of the system and allow for fresh air to be treated and cooled throughout the cooling season.
Air filters are designed to be changed every 1-3 months depending on the usage of the system. In our neck of the woods, it makes more sense to change them earlier, like every month, because of how heavily we rely on these units.
Benefits of Changing Your Air Filter
Here are just a few benefits that come from changing your air filter on a regular basis.
- Efficiency. With fewer contaminants clogging up the system and restricting airflow, you get better air conditioning without too much electricity being consumed. A highly efficient AC will require air filter changes regularly in order to stay efficient.
- Longevity. Regularly changing the air filter helps improve the longevity of a system, allowing it to reach its maximum lifespan.
- Better performance. Simply put, your AC is going to perform a lot better when it’s got the ability to take in fresh air from your home without being impeded.
Why Your AC Has an Air Filter
A lot of the components inside of your air conditioner are just not suited to encounter large amounts of dust and debris. The coils, for instance, need to make contact with the air in order to efficiently remove heat and allow the cooling process to happen. So, without an air filter, an air conditioner would simply start out working great but lose its effectiveness in a relatively small amount of time.
We want our air conditioners to work for 10+ years, which means we need the added layer of protection so the system works as intended. Remember this when you’re changing your air filter on a regular basis!
For help with changing your air filter, contact Jim McDonald & Sons Heating & Cooling Inc. Cooling Sarasota and Manatee Counties since 1970.