Serving West Chicago & NEARBY Areas
When it comes to the operating efficiency of your HVAC system, the air filter has an important part to play. When the air filter is dirty, it restricts airflow throughout the system and drastically reduces its efficiency. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what your HVAC filter does and how to know when it’s time to replace it.
What Does an HVAC Air Filter Do?
An HVAC air filter sits in your return ductwork and is responsible for trapping unwanted airborne particles. The amount of particles that a particular filter will trap will highly depend on its overall MERV rating, with filters having a higher rating providing more filtering capability. It’s important to trap these airborne particles to prevent them from entering the internal components of your indoor air handler unit, and this also works to improve the quality of air inside of your home.
Weak Airflow
One of the most obvious signs that your HVAC air filter needs to be replaced is that there is very weak airflow coming out of your vents. When the air filter is full of debris, it drastically restricts the air that can flow through it. You may notice that your home doesn’t feel as comfortable as it’s not getting to the appropriate temperature. When you put your hand up next to the air vent, you’ll likely notice that the airflow is restricted. This means that you need to replace your air filter promptly.
Excessive Dust on Registers
Another sign that it may be time to upgrade your existing air filter is that you’re noticing a large accumulation of dust on the registers throughout your home. When your air filter is too full, it will no longer be able to retain dust and other debris; it will simply flow through the rest of your system and end up on your registers and the various surfaces throughout your home.
Higher Energy Bills
When the air filter inside of your HVAC system is excessively dirty, it has to struggle in order to produce an adequate amount of hot or cold air for your home, depending on the season. This inefficient system operation will easily drive up your energy bills and make them much higher than you’re used to. If you notice that your energy bills are skyrocketing, the first place you’ll want to look is your HVAC air filter.
More Frequent Allergy Flare-Ups
One lesser-known sign that the air filter for your HVAC system is dirty and in need of replacement is that you’re experiencing more frequent allergy flare-ups. This is because the air is no longer being adequately filtered by the air filter. More of those harmful airborne allergens, like dust and pollen, stay in the air.
The Light Test
If you suspect that you need to replace the air filter inside of your HVAC system, you’ll want to do the light test. This is where you remove the existing filter from the filter housing and hold it up to a light. If you can see through the filter, it still has a usable life span. If you can’t see through the filter, then it means it’s time for a replacement.
A Note on Filter Sizes and Types
When replacing your HVAC filter, it’s important that you put in a filter that is the exact same size as the existing one. If you get a filter that’s too large, it simply won’t fit within the filter housing. If you get a filter that is too small, the air will simply travel around the filter in your ducting, and none of the air will be filtered.
When selecting a new filter for your HVAC system, you’ll want to take its MERV rating into account. Filters with a higher rating are typically recommended for households where one or more residents suffer from asthma, allergies, or a respiratory condition. Ideally, you’ll want to get a filter with a rating between 10 and 13. Anything higher and you risk reducing the operating efficiency of your HVAC system.
Expert HVAC Maintenance Service
Air Choice Heating & Cooling offers expert AC maintenance service for the entire West Chicago, IL community. We can also assist with all of your HVAC repair, replacement, and installation needs as well as all your indoor air quality tests. Simply give our office a call today to book your next service appointment with one of our helpful HVAC technicians.
