The Importance of HVAC Filters
Air conditioning is not a luxury; it’s a requirement for those who live in the Tampa Bay area. When it gets scorching hot here, the only thing that can cool you off is a dip in the pool and your air conditioning unit. But did you know that air conditioners can help to improve your heath? It’s true. Your air conditioning unit helps to clean your air of dust mites, bacteria, and other debris that can cause serious health problems. The importance of filters in your air conditioning unit cannot be overstated, because your air conditioner cannot clean your air without a filter.
An air conditioner takes warm air, passes it through a refrigeration system, and then returns the cooled air to the room. As it returns the cooled air to the room, more warm air is sucked into the conditioner ducts and the cooling process continues. During this air transfer process, the air conditioner’s filter removes debris from the air.
The importance of filters for an air conditioner is two fold: they keep debris from clogging up the mechanical parts of the air conditioner and they clean the air for you.
If the filter of your air conditioner does not work properly, it cannot effectively clean your air of potentially harmful pollutants. These pollutants are left floating around in the air, waiting for you to breathe them in. Some of the health effects of breathing harmful particles (such as dust, molds, and pollens) include:
- Headaches
- Allergies
- Fatigue
- Respirator infections
- Congestion
- Irritated eyes
…and many more.
To keep your air conditioner filter working at its peak air cleaning efficiency, you should check the filter once a month to see if it needs to be replaced. Most air conditioner filters need to be replaced every 2 months. But there are some factors that make more frequent changing of the filter necessary:
– Usage frequency. The more frequently you use your air conditioner, the more quickly the filter gets clogged.
– The time of year. In the summer, for instance, an upsurge of pollens can more quickly clog the filter.
– Pets or Plants? If you have either pets or plants (or both) you may need to change the filter more frequently.
Although it may seem like a hassle to pay so much attention to your air conditioner’s filters, remember this– your HVAC filters help protect your family’s health.
