Summer in Florida is often a wake up call for homeowners when it comes to air conditioning maintenance and other home repairs. There’s nothing like sweltering heat to remind you to check on the condition of your home’s cooling system, after all! As with any system, routine maintenance and service is the best way to insure that your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is efficient, effective, and durable. Routinely changing your home’s air filter is a simple way to keep your HVAC system performing its best.
What is My Home Air Filter?
The air filter traps and collects harmful pathogens and other pollutants before they can pass into your central air conditioning system and spread throughout your home. Each filter has a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) that can range anywhere on a scale of 1-12. The higher that number, the better filtration it provides and the greater amount of energy it requires.
If your air filter is dirty, it can clog up and slow down the air flow. This creates added stress on your entire HVAC system, leading to wasted energy and an increase in electricity bills.
How Often Do I Change it?
Depending on your air filter, the goverment’s Energy Star program recommends that homeowners change their filters every 1-3 months. Your air filter’s manufacturer information will provide details on the suggested frequency of change. However, if you put greater stress on your AC during hotter months, you may need to change it even more often.
Since you depend on your AC the most during the blistering heat of Summer, it’s important to check and, if necessary, replace your air filter to keep your home as cool and clean as possible. Changing your air filter is a relatively simple process that many homeowners choose to take on themselves. However, we always welcome clients to contact us for even the smallest repairs and services. As the resident experts in home AC repair in Florida, we’re happy to help!
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