The Importance Of Clean HVAC Air Filters

Most experts agree that the air inside your home can be more polluted than the air outdoors. The modern HVAC systems today are equipped with heating and cooling as well as an air filtration system to keep the indoor air clean. The more you use your HVAC system, the more dust, dander, and other substances will accumulate and clog the filters. This will reduce the level of air flow, and it can affect the quality of the air that is circulating throughout the house.

To learn more about why changing your HVAC filters regularly is so important to your family's health and to your budget, read on...

Maintain Healthy Indoor Air Levels

HVAC filters are responsible for trapping indoor pollutants such as mites, dust, anger, and hair. When these pollutants are trapped, they won't be able to circulate all around the house. When the filter has reached its maximum carry capacity, its ability to trap pollutants decreases drastically. This can have a negative effect on the air quality in the home.

Avoid Mold Growth

Dirty HVAC filters are the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. This is especially true if the HVAC system is located in a warm, moist environment. If mold spores and bacteria are circulating around your home, it can result in sneezing, a runny nose, or the common cold.

When your filters are clean, you can be sure that mold and bacteria are not growing there. This is especially important if someone in the house has a weakened or compromised immune system.

Avoid System Failure

When your system is operating with a clogged filter, it puts a serious strain on the system. Over time, this can lead to the breakdown of components which can result in higher energy bills and the need for repairs. Also, this extra work that the system needs to do to keep the house comfortable can shorten the lifespan of the system.

If your system is strained, it can cause your system to freeze up or overheat. Either of these issues can result in a complete shutdown. This is the last thing that you want on the coldest day of the winter or the hottest day of the summer.

Maintain Efficient Energy Use

If your filters are clogged, your HVAC system is going to need more energy to run properly. When dust and dander clogs the filters, it can reduce the level of air flow in the home. This means that your system will need to work harder to effectively cool or heat the home. If you fail to clean your filters, your system will be 15 percent less energy efficient, which will cause your energy bulls to increase. For example, if you have clogged filters, your unit will need to work harder to pump the same amount of air. This will require more power, costing you more money.

Avoid Poor Home Comfort 

If your system is clogged, it is not going to work well. A clogged filter can result in poor air circulation and inefficient cooling due to blockages or overuse and wear and tear. If this happens, your home won't be as comfortable as it should be.

When To Change Your Air Filter

For your HVAC system to remain efficient and in proper working order, you should clean your air filter every month or two. You can also replace the entire filter entirely. Either option is a possibility because new air filters are inexpensive and they are easy to change.

There is no good reason to avoid cleaning or changing your air filter on a regular basis. Regular changing and cleaning of the air filters will ensure that the air quality in your home is safe to breathe. It will also ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. A clean filter will cut down on your energy costs, and it will cut down on any unnecessary strain on the HVAC components. Your family deserves to breathe clean air; therefore, you should keep your air filters clean.

Summer Energy Saving Tips For Every Homeowner

Many families are excited when the weather starts to warm up. The summer season comes with an array of activities that are enjoyable such as swimming in the pool, barbecues, and trips to the beach. While this is an excellent way to spend time outdoors, there is little compared to the relief that our air conditioner provides.

Our air conditioners work hard to combat the heat and humidity that is common with the hot weather. Without our cooling system, our homes would be unbearable. Anyone who has even had the unfortunate experience of an AC breakdown in the peak of the heat knows what going without an AC is like. Therefore, these units deserve the attention that they require to perform well. If you are a homeowner, make sure that you schedule an AC tune-up before the summer rolls in. This way, you can rely on it to keep your nice and comfortable even when the outdoor weather is extreme.

Not only is it vital to maintain your AC before the peak of the heat arrives, it is also important to make sure that your home is as energy effieicnt as possible. This way, you can feel the peace of mind that your comfort doesn't come with a high pricetag. No one wants to pay high cooling costs. Although a tune-up can help redcue your energy bills, there are additional methods that homeowners can use to help lower their energy use.

Below you will find some helpful tips that help achieve this:

Get An AC Tune-Up

As mentioned briefly above, an AC tune-up will help your unit perform at its peak efficiency. Dirty air conditioners have to strain, using more energy, to cool your house down. The more energy that it uses, the more that you will pay at the end of the month. Instead, you can invest a small amount to have it professionally maintained and pay much less on your energy costs. Furthermore, a system that receives proper maintenance is able to perform much better than a system that does not. It is a win-win situation for a such a small investment.

Seal And Insulate Your Home 

When your home has poor insulation, leaks, or cracks, then the cool air escapes and the hot air enters. Your air conditioner will have to work more to keep your home at the desired temperature. By sealing these cracks and leaks, you can prevent that conditioned air from escaping. Also, you can prevent your energy costs from escalating. If you are not sure where you are losing your conditioned air, then it is an excellent idea to schedule an energy audit. A professional has the ability to pinpoint exactly where your home's thermal weak spots are.

Keep Your Windows Closed And Your Vents Unobstructed

Many homeowners make the mistake of placing their furniture or drapes on top of or in front of their air vents. Although this may seem like a good idea, it actually obstructs the airflow that is necessary for your air conditioner to perform efficiently. This causes your unit to strain, increasing the energy that it needs to perform. This strain increases your energy bills and leads to unnecessary repair costs.

Be sure to remove any items that block your air vents. Also, it is important to note that you should leave all of your air vents open, even to rooms that are not used frequently. Your HVAC system is sized for your entire home and closing off vents actually causes your blower to work harder due to the added pressure. This means that although you think you are saving money by closing air vents, in reality, you are actually increasing the energy that your AC uses. An increase in energy leads to an increase in your energy costs.

Close Your Curtains To Block The Sun

Although natural lighting is beautiful, allowing the sun to enter your home also allows it to heat it up. Consequently, this causes your AC to work more to keep your home at the desired temperature. Instead, during the day, close your blinds or curtains and block the sun out.

Use A Ceiling Fan

One way to conserve energy in your home during the summer is with the use of fans. They create a windchill effect that helps you feel cool and comfortable. However, when leaving a room, be sure to turn off the fan. Fans cool people and not homes.

Install A Smart Or Programmable Thermostat

Modern smart thermostats are internet-enabled devices that you can control from anywhere. Therefore, even if you forgot to turn up the temperature before you leave home, you can still control your thermostats settings. Also, these devices learn your patterns and schedules which, in turn, it uses to help reduce your energy costs. Programmable thermostats, are also, excellent devices where you can pre-set a schedule and your thermostat will automatically raise and lower the temperature, based on those settings. Let's say, when you are on your way home from work, you can set it to cool your house down, right before you get home. Therefore, you will always feel comfortable and you will pay less for doing so.

Cooking

When you use your oven, it adds extra heat into your home. Consequently, your AC has to work to compensate. Instead, think of cooking on the grill or you can use the microwave.

Conclusion

Following the above can really make a major impact when it comes to your summer energy costs. There are many other tips that you can use such as using major appliances at night due to the additional heat that they create. Also, you can change your light bulbs and use LED light bulbs instead. Think about upgrading your windows if you have single pane windows in your home.