AC filters are designed to remove particulate matter from the air circulating through your system and home. This not only improves indoor air quality but also protects your HVAC system. Most homes in Gilbert, AZ, and the surrounding areas experience indoor contaminants like pollen, pet dander, dust, dust mites, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds. Let’s look at AC air filters more in-depth, including how frequently you should change them.
Where Is the AC Filter Located?
Your HVAC system has an air handler in your home’s interior. Your condenser is likely outside your home if you have a central air conditioning system. Your filter is located in the indoor handler. This is also the same location where you would change your filter during the time of year when you are using your furnace to heat your home.
This large metal box has a small opening large enough for a filter to slide in and out, which is called a return air grill opening. You should see a directional arrow on the filters that indicate which direction the filter should be installed.
How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter?
Most filters should be changed once every 30 to 90 days. The exact frequency depends on several factors, such as the filter you’re using, how often you’ve been running your air conditioning and whether you have pets in the home. Several different types of filters are available. What you choose will likely depend on your budget, indoor air quality needs, the setup of your HVAC system, and other factors.
Fiberglass Filters
A fiberglass filter features tightly woven strands of material on a flat surface. It’s one of the most affordable filter options, but it doesn’t do a great job of removing many particulates. You should expect to change this filter once every 30 days.
Traditional Pleated Filters
A pleated filter is typically made from polyester, paper, or cotton. The pleated design increases the surface area, allowing more particulate matter to be trapped. This is an affordable filter option that usually lasts 30 to 60 days.
Activated Carbon Filters
An activated carbon filter does an excellent job of removing particulate matter while reducing odors and volatile organic compounds. These filters usually cost a little more money than a standard pleated filter, but they often last 90 days or longer.
HEPA Filters
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can remove as much as 99.97% of the particulate matter in your indoor environment. However, these filters restrict airflow for some air conditioners. You’ll want to check with one of our team members to determine if this is an option you can use in your home.
Washable Filters
Some homeowners choose to use washable filters to save money. Rather than throwing away a filter every so often, they remove it, wash it, and let it dry before placing it back into its housing.
Electrostatic Filtration
Usually used in addition to a standard air conditioning filter, electrostatic filtration uses charged collection plates to attract oppositely charged particulate matter. There is no filter to change. You simply remove the collection plates and clean them periodically.
Evaluating Your Filter
While filters generally come with a recommendation for how frequently they should be changed, there are ways to determine if it’s time to make the switch. Make sure that your air conditioner is turned off when you remove the filter for inspection.
Debris Buildup
When you pull your filter out of its housing, check for clumps of debris on its surface. If this occurs, it usually means the filter is clogged and requires changing.
If you hold the filter up to the light, a dirty filter won’t let much light through. Compare this to a brand-new filter to better understand the difference.
Signs of Damage
Make sure that your filter is free of tears, dents, or holes. Damage to the filter could allow particulate matter to flow directly through it to the rest of your home or the interior components of your HVAC system.
Dusty Surfaces
A dirty filter allows more particulate matter into your living spaces. You may notice that the surfaces in your home are getting dusty quickly, and you may also see a dusty buildup on vent covers and registers.
Allergy Symptoms
Aside from looking at your physical filter, consider if you’ve been experiencing increased allergy symptoms inside your home. You may have several contaminants circulating because of a dirty air conditioning filter.
Considering Efficiency
It’s important to note that a dirty air conditioning filter can also impact the efficiency of the cooling process. If you have a dirty filter and are regularly running your air conditioning equipment, this can place a lot of strain on your system. Over time, this can lead to more frequent repair needs and maintenance. You can shorten the life expectancy of your air conditioner if you don’t replace its filter often enough.
You may also see a spike in your energy bills if you’re not changing your filter regularly.
Don’t Forget About Humidity
While your air conditioning filter is an important part of keeping your home comfortable, you don’t want to forget about addressing the relative humidity level in your home. Ideally, you should keep your home’s humidity level between 35% and 50%. This is the sweet spot for maintaining your health and safety. It is also a great way to protect things like your furnishings, flooring, and framing.
If humidity levels are too high, your home can feel oppressive and uncomfortable. Luckily, using air conditioning in the home can help control humidity. However, specific locations also benefit from a whole-house dehumidifier in summer to further reduce moisture levels. We can install one of these units onto your HVAC system. This provides simple humidity control without moving around and maintaining a portable unit.
Your dehumidifier unit may have an additional filter. You should maintain that filter on the same schedule as your regular HVAC filter. Dehumidifier filters are usually washable, eliminating the need for expensive replacements.
Having your ductwork cleaned by a professional
Keeping your air ducts clean and in good shape is essential for having fresh air in your home and ensuring your heating and cooling systems work well. Over time, dust, allergens, and other dirt can build up inside the ducts. This stuff can block airflow and spread harmful particles around your space. Having one of our HVAC technicians clean your ducts removes this buildup, which helps improve the air quality and allows your systems to function better.
If you would like to learn more about changing your air conditioning filter and what kind of filter you should use, contact our team here at A/C & Plumbing Doctors. We can also provide routine maintenance and repairs for your air conditioner and heating equipment. We also install new equipment, address ductwork issues, help address indoor air quality concerns, and provide commercial HVAC services. We also work on plumbing, including drain repair, unclogging drains, leak detection, garbage disposals, sewer services, gas line services, and more.
Reach out to A/C & Plumbing Doctors in Gilbert today to schedule an appointment.
