Filters in HVAC systems for both residential and commercial applications play a vital role in proper air circulation. They help to keep the airflow moving and the system running at optimal performance. Filters are just as important as an oil change is for a vehicle. Filters will collect harmful dust and debris from entering the home or business, which keeps people safe while breathing the air.
Neglecting HVAC filters causes potential health risks and added strain on your system as well as increased utility bills. A dirty and clogged HVAC system can impact indoor air quality and affect people with asthma or allergies. It’s also not a good idea to reuse or save money by vacuuming and cleaning your old filters. Used HVAC filters have embedded particles that simply can’t be sucked out.
Dirty HVAC Filters Can Impact Breathing
HVAC systems are important, especially for those who live in hot and humid weather environments like Raleigh, North Carolina where heat indexes can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the air can be so dense, it can be like trying to breathe air through a straw. Air conditioning is especially important for seniors and those who have respiratory issues. If you’ve changed your filters and are still noticing the system isn’t running as it should, you may need a licensed AC service Raleigh, NC provider for duct cleaning and indoor air quality testing to ensure a safer living environment. You can also significantly lower your risks by having a clean-running system and avoid serious health dangers like respiratory problems.
Importance of Changing Filters
Choosing the right HVAC filter for your system is paramount. HVAC filters can vary in quality as well as size, and they are graded on their minimum and maximum efficiency rating according to the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale. HVAC filters are rated on a scale from 1-16, and higher the number, the higher indoor air quality. Changing your HVAC filter will ensure your system is running efficiently, safely, and properly.
Most HVAC systems will have instructions in the owner’s manual on how often you should change your filters. This is an area that’s neglected by a lot of busy business owners and homeowners alike, and one solution to this problem is to utilize a professional HVAC service for routine inspections and services. They can keep your air conditioning and furnace system running at optimal performance by making sure the replacement filter is the correct size and has a high MERV rating, ensuring the quality of air without ever having to worry about it.
Clean air filters also reduce allergy symptoms and provide cleaner air; however, a dirty air filter or the wrong sized filter can have negative effects:
- Heat exchanger failure
- Increased blower power consumption
- Compressor failure
- Reduced heating or cooling capacity
- Health Problems
- Higher Utilities
- Expensive HVAC repairs
- Shorter lifespan of system components
Filters can range from one to five inches thick. This can also determine how often they need to be changed. Dirty ducts can additionally shorten the life of your HVAC filters, and ducts should be inspected every couple of years.
Changing Your Filters
Changing your HVAC filters on a regular basis is important, especially during summer and winter months when the system is running non-stop. During these months, if the filter looks dirty, it should be changed. It’s not uncommon to change the filter at least once a month during these months, and it shouldn’t exceed any more than three months before it’s replaced. Changing your filters on an annual basis is a bad idea because it can make your HVAC system work harder to keep you warm or cool, which also raises utility bills. A clean HVAC filter will also prevent dirt and dust from collecting in the system, which can lead to early system failure or expensive maintenance. If changing filters on a regular basis isn’t something you’re interested in or have the time for, you should sign up for planned services with your local HVAC service provider.
Indoor Air Quality
There are a variety of products available that can improve indoor air quality such as dehumidifiers, ultraviolet lights, air exchangers, and other IAQ solutions for your business or home. There are a lot of people, whether at home or in a business environment, who have their asthma and allergies irritated due to the quality of the indoor air they’re breathing. Taking the time to talk to your HVAC service provider about IAQ products can be very beneficial, especially when it comes to the comfort and health of employees and family members.
Benefits of Having an Air Exchanger Installed
Being able to breathe the same quality of air outdoors should also apply to indoor environments as well. The fact is, modern businesses and homes are so well insulated they can trap pollutants and humidity indoors. The evidence of humidity can be found in more than 50 percent of structures that have a basement. According to experts, proper filtration and ventilation systems effectively eliminate excess humidity and airborne pollutants, therefore protecting the health of family members, employees, and the structure itself. The benefit of having an air exchanger installed is having fresh and clear air in every zone of your commercial building and throughout every room in your home. An air exchanger works 24/7 to improve indoor air quality, therefore making the indoor air conditions as good as being outdoors.
How Does an Air Exchanger Work?
Opening the windows is a great idea for fresh air. However, an air exchanger works better than opening the windows for fresh air because it’s the only device that expels humid and polluted air from a business or home and replaces it several times a day with fresh air. It can be installed to existing HVAC systems or run independently without interfering with the efficiency of other appliances. When polluted air and gaseous pollutants are evacuated from a business or home it can improve indoor air quality as well as eliminate odors, excess humidity, indoor pollutants, and condensation on glass surfaces. Technological advances in air exchanger manufacturing have also improved the filters to trap animal particles and even pet hair.
