The Easiest Maintenance Step You Can Take

Changing your air conditioning filters routinely yields two important benefits: it helps keep your air conditioning clean, and it’s good for your indoor air.

In fact, Energy.gov says changing your filters (as often as every 30 days, depending on your filter type) is your most important maintenance task for preserving your system’s efficiency. That’s because clogged, dirty filters block the normal airflow. When airflow is obstructed, air that bypasses the filter could carry dirt straight into the evaporator coil and cause damage. That means the simple step of a filter change can protect your equipment’s life.

It can also save on energy. Replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy use by 5 to 15 percent. And if that’s not reason enough to take care of this task – if your filter becomes too dirty, it can affect the quality of your indoor air.

Here’s an even better point: changing your air conditioning filter routinely is inexpensive and easy.

Your filter could be located in a return grille or in special slots in the duct system – possibly inside the air conditioner itself. If you aren’t sure, schedule your spring tune-up, and your service technician can show you your filter location and how to change it.

How and when you make the change depends on the type of filter your system uses. While some are reusable, others must be replaced. You’ll want to clean or replace filters more often if your air conditioner is in constant use or if you have furry pets in the home.

Also, don’t forget that your air conditioning system should get a professional tune-up to get ready for the summer season. Some of the tasks on your service technician’s list will be to check your refrigerant levels, your motors and belts and your thermostat accuracy as well as measure airflow through the evaporator coil. Along with improving the performance of your system, technicians are also able to see problems that may be occurring and often make a simple fix before they grow into a larger repair.

If you have any questions or concerns about maintenance on your system, or if it’s time for your regular spring tune-up, just let us know.

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