After months of your air conditioner sitting idle, it’s tempting to simply flip the switch on your thermostat from heat to AC when you get that first warm day of the year. But doing that without making a few checks first can result in poor performance, steeper energy bills, and unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system. Before you turn on your AC unit, take a minute and check the air filter (or filters). This is a simple step you can take to make sure your unit runs smoothly all summer long.
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Why Your Air is So Important
Your air filter to how smoothly our air conditioner runs. When your HVAC system pulls air through the returns in your home, the filter traps particles, preventing them from circulating through the HVAC unit, which can damage it, while also trapping allergens and other particles you don’t want circulating back into your house.
Over time that filter gets clogged with particles that restrict airflow, which can cause a host of problems:
- Reduced air flow: When the filter is full, the air conditioning unit has to work harder to draw air into the system, which means it takes longer to cool your home.
- Higher energy bills: Since your HVAC system has to work harder to pull air into it, it becomes less efficient, increasing your energy bill.
- Increased wear and tear: When your HVAC system is working harder to move air through that dirty filter, it puts more wear and tear on the unit, ultimately shortening its lifespan.
- Poor indoor air quality: Filters are designed to remove dust, allergens, and bacteria from the air. When the filter gets dirty, it can’t trap those particles, allowing them to circulate back into your home.
How to Check Your Air Filter
Checking your air filter is easy and only take a couple of minutes:
- Locate the air filter. It’s typically on a return vent on a wall or on the ceiling in your home. You may have multiple returns, especially if you have more than one AC unit or heat pump. In holder homes, the air filter is often located on the air handler in a utility closet or the attic.
- Remove the air filter: Open the metal grate cover and remove the air filter.
- Inspect the air filter. A dirty filter will appear gray or black. If you can’t see light passing through it, it’s probably time to replace it.
How Often Should You Replace It?
You generally want to replace your air filter about once every three months. You may need to replace it more often during the summer when your air conditioner is running more frequently or during the winter when your heating system is working harder.
A Few Quick Checks Before You Turn It On
After checking the air filter, head outside and check the outdoor units. Remove any debris that might have collected on top or around the air conditioner unit over the winter. Cut back any vegetation that is up against the air conditioner. As a rule of thumb, maintain a 3 to 4 foot buffer around the air conditioning to allow for proper air flow.
Source: Life – Fitness – mensjournal
