CouponsHere are 5 important facts about air conditioning filters
Almost every home in the United States has an air conditioning unit. For most people, it is an absolute necessity. However, some people tend to forget that the air conditioner is a mechanical device and don’t pay any attention to its regular maintenance and repair needs.
Given the high cost and expenses incurred in operating the unit, it’s important that you keep the unit serviced regularly.
An important part of the air conditioner is the filter. It prevents dirt from getting inside the system and doing major damage to the unit. Knowing more about the air filter will help in making the right decision regarding the unit. Here are some important facts that you should know about air conditioning filters.
1. Not all air filters are the same
Some people presume that only one type of filter is installed in the air conditioner. The reality is that there are many sizes and types of filters. Some are reusable after cleaning while others are for one-time use only. The filters have different ratings and prices. A professional technician can tell you about the recommended filter for your air conditioner.
2. You need to inspect your air filter regularly
An air filter collects dirt and dust over time and therefore must be cleaned regularly. The EPA recommends that you inspect your AC filter at least every 3 months. In case you reside in a dusty area, or there are pets or children inside the house, you should consider getting the filter inspected every month. Regular inspection will ensure that a clogged filter won’t result in damage to the unit.
3. Bigger is not always better
Keep in mind that only a specific size of filter will be suitable for an air conditioner. Going out and buying the biggest filter is not recommended. Installing a wrong size of air filter will result in inefficient filtering of the dust particles. This will result in accelerated wear-and-tear on the system. Again, a professional technician will guide you in buying the right size of filter.
4. Don’t always just default to the highest rating
Every air conditioner requires a filter with a particular Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. Knowing that the highest rating is 16, some people buy the highest-rated filter. But the fact is that a filter with a higher-than-required filter might actually restrict air flow. This will strain the air conditioner and may cause damage to the system. That brings us to our final thing to consider…
5. Let a professional do the work
Filters should be installed, inspected, and cleaned by an experienced technician. Some people, in order to save money, try to clean the filter by vacuuming it. Others try to wash the filter in the washing machine. However, DIY cleaning often damages the filter. An experienced technician has the required tools and equipment to clean the filter safely.
The professional will also thoroughly clean the filter to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mold. These can enter the rooms through the vents thereby posing a health risk to the household.
Why you should replace your air conditioner filter regularly
Your air filter is an essential part of your summer cooling, and keeping yours clean is a must. If you need your filters cleaned or replaced, call us. King specializes in air conditioning repair in Chicago and the other communities of Chicagoland. In this article, we’ll review just a few of the reasons that clean air filters can be the difference between a struggling cooling system and one that’s running better and saving you money.
An air filter that is completely clogged with dirt and dust can completely obstruct air flow into your home, making your air conditioner work that much harder.
Why does replacing your air filter matter?
#1. Energy-Efficiency
If your summer electric bills are painful, you aren’t alone. Air conditioning systems use a lot of electricity, which is why squeezing the best-possible efficiency and smooth operation out of your system is essential. One of the biggest culprits in decreased efficiency is a dirty, clogged air filter, as this means the air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home, burning through more energy as it does so.
#2. Extend your system’s lifespan
An air conditioning system represents a significant investment, which is why it’s in your best interest to arrange regular AC maintenance appointments. Not only does a clogged filter decrease the unit’s efficiency, but it also puts additional and unnecessary stress on the system. By working harder to keep your home cool, you’re putting extra wear-and-tear on your air conditioner that, cumulatively, could mean that it lives a shorter life and you have to replace it all that much sooner.
Our recommendation? Take care of your air conditioner by having the air filter cleaned or replaced regularly, and make sure you keep up with our tune-up service.
#3. Keep your house clean
Your filter’s job is to collect the dust and debris that accumulates over time, but those impurities have nowhere to go if the filtration system is full. Until you replace your filter, the air conditioner will simply circulate this unwanted material around your home, which means you’ll spend more time dusting than not. It’s better to have dust, dirt, and other contaminants caught up in the filter than entering your lungs.
#4. Protect your family’s health
Along with dirtying your house, all of those harmful particles can also cause health problems for your family. Along with dust and dander, your HVAC system can also circulate any mold particles throughout your home without them getting caught up in the filter. If any member of your household suffers from respiratory ailments or allergies, frequent filter replacement is even more important to their comfort in the home.
Call King for filter replacement and air conditioning repair in Chicago
These are just a few reasons why it’s important to frequently replace your cooling system’s filters. Call the team of experts here at King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing and have us work with you and your home on a complete maintenance and upkeep strategy for your air conditioner. To schedule an appointment for filter replacement or air conditioning repair in Chicago, call us.
What role does your air filter play in efficient heating this winter?
If you’re like most homeowners, replacing or cleaning your home’s air filter is probably pretty far down your list of priorities this winter. However, there’s certainly a case to be made for adding this to your to-do list. A clean air filter is critical to your home’s indoor air quality, energy-efficiency, and winter heating. In this article, we’ll review what you should know about your air filter and the role it plays in your home during the colder months of the year here in Chicagoland.
At King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’re your go-to team for a wide range of heating services. Call us today to learn more about how we can improve the indoor air quality of your home, as well as the efficiency of your heating system.
A clean air filter is more important than you might think
While it tends to get overlooked, your home’s air filter plays a crucial role in your home’s air quality and energy-efficiency. Here’s how:
Energy-efficient heating
A dirty air filter can actually be costing you money every month on your utility bills. As the air filter clogs with dirt, dust, and pet hair (gross!), it becomes more difficult for the furnace’s blower to push heated air through the filter. This results in the furnace and blower having to work more to create heating for your home, which in turn can cause a spike in your monthly heating bills.
Prevent furnace problems
All the extra effort your furnace puts into pushing air through a dirty, clogged filter can lead to significantly more wear-and-tear. However, that’s only the start. Your furnace also intakes air through the filter. If it’s unable to take in enough air from your home, the blower and furnace will not be able to work properly. In fact, since gas and electric furnaces rely on the blower to push hot air out of the system, it could lead to the system either short cycling or overheating.
Even if the furnace is able to get air through the filter, that dust and other contaminants could head the other way into the system, leading to the inside of the furnace becoming dirty. This, in turn, can have other negative repercussions for the furnace’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Keep your home’s air fresh
Every time you turn on the furnace with a dirty air filter in place, you’re essentially having that dust and dirt pushed into the air of your home. Especially during the winter when windows and doors tend to be closed more often, this can have a negative impact on your indoor air quality as the trapped dust, dirt, pet dander, and more have nowhere to go.
Replace or clean your air filter regularly
Generally speaking, you should replace your air filter about every 90 days. However, if you have pets or suffer from allergies, you may want to bump that up to every 60 days or even every month. In truth, every home is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to indoor air quality. That’s why talking with a professional here at King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is always a great play.
How air duct cleaning can improve your IAQ and help you breathe easier
It can be distressing to learn the air you breathe inside your home may be worse than the air outside. Thankfully, a quality air duct cleaning from King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can help improve your IAQ (indoor air quality), making it easier for you to breathe while inside your home.
To schedule your air duct cleaning here in Chicagoland, contact your friends at King.
Here’s why indoor air quality matters
Air duct cleaning can help improve your IAQ, helping those in your home who suffer from allergies.
Your home’s previous owner may have been lax in duct cleaning
Depending on your home’s previous owner, she or he may not have done a great job of keeping it clean. That means there’s no telling what may be up there that you and your family are breathing in. Duct cleaning allows you to inhale and exhale with ease and confidence that the air isn’t just dust and other contaminants blowing around in an endless, trapped loop.
Pests can leave behind contaminants
If you’ve ever had cockroaches, mice, or other pests in your home, they may have moved through your ducts and left behind a little gift. Droppings and other contaminants can linger long after the pest has gone, leaving you with yet another infestation to deal with—and some nasty, foul-smelling indoor air to breathe in.
Mold and mildew may be lurking in your ducts
Homes that have moisture issues are likely to have mold and mildew issues, as well. Musty smells that seem to have no source could be coming from your vents due to mildew or mold growing inside. These contaminants can do more damage to your healthy than just simply making it hard to breathe, so take care of them as soon as possible.
Your air filters may be clogged
Over time, your HVAC system’s air filters can become clogged with trapped dirt and debris.
Dust, pollen, and the like can blow through your ducts and out your vents into the air you breathe. It’s best to have your filters cleaned at the same time as when you clean your ducts to truly take care of the issue.
Reduce unnecessary spending
If it turns out that it’s your ductwork that’s making it hard for you to breathe, you may visit your doctor or buy medicine to feel better. Your doctor and a prescription may make you feel better, but—in our book—your money is better spent on a final solution rather than temporary relief.
Call King for help with air conditioning filters
If you reside in the communities south of Chicago, you can contact King Heating Cooling and Plumbing for professional help with air conditioning filters. We have a team of certified and experienced technicians who can perform all kinds of air conditioner repairs at an affordable cost.