Your HVAC system makes your home comfortable to live in and those who lived without one for years understand its necessity. Part of HVAC system maintenance is replacing your filters at least once a month, but you might be asking yourself why this needs to be done. To understand the important role a filter plays, here is a guide to understanding how HVAC filters work.
Improve Air Quality in Your Home
The main purpose of an HVAC filter is to improve your home’s air quality. There are many small, harmful particles that try to enter your home’s air like dust, dirt, pet dander, and allergens. What an HVAC filter will do is trap these particles and prevent them from affecting your home’s air quality, which is essential for those who suffer from allergies.
Help an HVAC System’s Performance
An air filter also plays a large role in an HVAC system’s overall performance. A filter keeps contaminants from entering your HVAC system and causing damage. If a filter is old, it can lead to your HVAC system having to work harder, which results in a higher electricity bill. A clean air filter will ensure that your HVAC unit will last for years to come.
Different Types
There are also several types of air filters you have the option of getting. The most common air filters for HVAC systems you will find are pleated and fiberglass AC filters, which have some differences. When you are choosing your air filter, you also must keep in mind what MERV rating you should get because that will tell you what particles your filter will trap.
Maintenance
Understanding how HVAC filters work also means knowing how to keep up with maintenance. Over time, an air filter will be full of particles, which can keep it from trapping them and serving its purpose. To avoid this, you need to check your air filter at least once a month and replace it once light no longer passes through it.
