Does Changing Your Air Filter Help Your AC?

When it comes to keeping your air conditioner running efficiently, one of the most important things you can do is change the air filter regularly. A clogged filter forces the air conditioner to work harder to keep the house cool, leading to more frequent repairs and ultimately shortening the life of the unit. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your air conditioner running efficiently for longer. A clear sign that the AC filter needs to be replaced is when the back of the unit is too hot.

If the filter is heavily soiled, you may feel warm air coming out the back of the unit. When the air cleaner is dirty, the air conditioning unit has difficulty operating efficiently. As a result, parts work harder than usual and ultimately break before their time. Not only will this require you to pay for a unit to be repaired, but you will even have to replace it before it has passed its normal 10-15 year lifespan.

As a result of the buildup, a dirty filter will also cause poor cold air flow in the air conditioning system. That cold air will be trapped inside the air conditioner, causing ice to form on your coils. Once that happens, the air conditioner will freeze and stop working.One of them is the uneven cooling throughout the house. If you notice that some rooms are harder to cool than others, while others are constantly feeling cold, you'll want to check your air conditioning filter first.

Changing your air conditioner filter not only helps your home's air conditions, but it can also save you money. Replacing a clogged air filter with a new one can reduce air conditioner energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent, according to the U. S. UU.Consuming less energy equates to a lower energy bill, which is a big win in the middle of summer, when electricity costs typically increase.

Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. A clogged filter, which is particularly evident in a central air conditioning unit, occurs when the machine has to work harder to push air through it.If you have a higher efficiency filter and don't change the AC filter often enough, a buildup of moisture can cause mold to build up in the ducts, leading to serious mold infestations. People with allergies will only suffer if the air filter in the air conditioner is not cleaned regularly. If one of your household members is very allergic to dust, you should replace the air filter more often.If your air conditioner continues to work, licensed technicians can take a look at your air filter and clean or replace it if necessary.

In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. If you have pets or use cleaning chemicals regularly, dander, cleaning particles, dust, and other debris can get trapped in the filter and then be released into the air.Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the manufacturer of your oven or air conditioner may impair its performance. To clean the reusable air filter, you must safely remove the filter from the air conditioning unit and rinse it in a tub or sink with warm water. Ambient Edge offers preventive maintenance contracts so you never have to worry about a dirty air filter ruining the performance of your air conditioner.