Just as you change the batteries in your smoke detectors to keep your family safe, changing your air filter to keep your HVAC system safe and running efficiently should be a high priority on your home maintenance schedule. Don’t be overwhelmed by the wide range of recommendations provided by so-called “experts.” As HVAC contractors in Grand Rapids, MN, we can keep it simple by answering the three most common questions asked by our customers.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Change the Air Filter?
Watch for these telltale signs to help you determine if it is time to change your filter:
- Your home is dustier than it normally is.
- The air conditioning or furnace cycle is running longer than it usually does.
- The filter has been in place longer than the manufacturer recommends.
- The filter is gray and dirty.
How Often Should I Change the Air Filter?
The answer can vary anywhere from every month to every six months depending on the type of filter you use and the conditions within your home. Air filters are given a MERV rating, which will tell how efficient the filter is in trapping particles. Take a look at the MERV rating on the next filter you purchase. It will be a number from one to 16. A higher number means that the filter will trap more particles. An air filter with a high MERV rating will not need to be changed as often as a filter with a lower rating.
The answer also depends on the time of year. The furnace will be running more during a frigid Minnesota winter than during spring, summer and fall. The answer can also change depending on other factors in your home. Is there cigarette smoke? Pet dander? These will also cause a filter to need to be changed more often. Ultimately, the best way to determine how often you should change the filter is to take a look at the manufacturer’s recommendation on the package. If you’re unsure of how to proceed, your HVAC contractors in Grand Rapids, MN can help.
Why Is It Important That I Change the Air Filter?
One of the reasons to change your air filter regularly is to keep your HVAC system performing at an optimum level. If the filter is dirty and clogged, air cannot move through the system as it is intended to do. This forces the HVAC system to work harder to push air through, which in turn causes stress and breakdowns.
Indoor air quality is another reason to change the filter regularly. Your family’s health is too important to allow them to breathe contaminated air. A dirty filter just allows those contaminants to remain in the air supply because the filter is not doing its job. A clean filter will remove dirt from the air.
Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc. to the Rescue
Keeping your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently is important. Changing your air filter will help your system live a long and healthy life. Another important piece of maintaining your system is to have a certified professional check your system before each winter and summer to make sure your system is ready for the season. Contact Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc. today to speak with an HVAC contractor in Grand Rapids, MN and learn how we can help.