Replacing your air filters regularly is something that is recommend for all homeowners. But how necessary is it really? A new air filter can cost as little as a few dollars, which may make it seem like an unimportant chore. It just so happens that simple looking square plays a very important role in the health of your family, the efficiency and welfare of your system and even impacts the environment. No matter what type of filter you buy, and no matter the cost, here are four reasons why it is important to replace your filter regularly.

1. Better Indoor Air Quality

One of the best ways to improve your indoor air quality is to regularly change your HVAC filter. Your filter stands between you and the contaminants in the air. If they are already dirty they won’t be able to properly trap all of the dust, allergens, mold and other pollutants that you want to keep out of your home and lungs. This is especially important if you have young children or pets in the home, who tend to be more sensitive to these kinds of pollutants in the air. Avoid health issues and breathe easy by changing your filters regularly.

2. Prolong Equipment Life

A dirty air filter can only catch so many particles; eventually, that debris will build up inside your system. A clogged filter also makes it more difficult for the air to move through your HVAC system. This restricted airflow will force your system to work harder. With a dirty system that is working extra hard, it’s only a matter of time before your system breaks down or fails completely. By regularly replacing your air filter you can ensure that your system is working properly, and avoid unnecessary damage or repairs. Replacing your filter is part of the standard maintenance care suggested by HVAC professionals like those of Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning.

3. Save Energy

As mentioned above, a dirty air filter will make your system work harder by reducing air flow. When your system works harder it uses more energy. By eliminating any restricting on air flow, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard and will use less energy. Not only is this better for your machine but it will be better for your wallet as you watch those monthly balances on your utility bill drop.

4. Be More Green

Do you have a goal to be more green? Good news! When you regularly change your air filter, you lower your carbon footprint. In addition to saving energy as mentioned above, replacing your filter reduces the strain on your HVAC system and lowers the amount of pollution it creates. It’s a small act, but it means lower carbon emissions.

Despite your best efforts to properly maintain your HVAC system by doing simple tasks like replacing your filter regularly, problems with your system may arise that need to be addressed by a professional. If you find yourself in this situation call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning for in-depth knowledge and exceptional customer service.

If you’ve ever thought about saving some energy or money as the weather gets cooler, you may have thought about strategically using the vents in your home. Maybe you don’t use a room or bathroom very often; it would make sense then, to close the vents off to that room and prevent warm air from unnecessarily heating it up. This would then save you energy and money in the long run. While it makes sense logically, that’s actually not the case. In fact, you could be using more energy with some of your vents closed than you would with all of them open! To learn why you should keep your vents open this winter, keep reading.

Air Still Moves

Whether your vent is open or not, the warm air is still going to try to push through to each vent. When the vents are closed the air won’t be able to come easily through the vent. Instead, it will be forced through any crack it can find in the duct work or other areas that aren’t sealed properly. In the end, if it can’t find a way out through the vents, the warm air will be forced back into the basement or perhaps the floor cavities where you definitely won’t be benefitting from the warmth.  

The cold air returns in your home are going to pull in cold air. If it’s not from the room, it will come from cracks around doors or windows and other unwanted places. If you’re going to pay to heat any air, it might as well be the air in the rooms of your home.

HVAC Damage

Closing off vents and doors to certain rooms create and build up pressure unnecessarily. Your HVAC system is designed to balance the pressure and temperature of air in your home. When that balance and temperature is interrupted, it hinders your system rather than helps it.

With all the extra work your furnace and HVAC system does will eventually take its toll. The type of HVAC system you have is determined by the size of your home and the calculated cooling and heating needs. When you close vents and block air from going to certain rooms, you are making your system work harder than it needs to, and harder than it was designed to. In extreme cold, the lack of warm air in your duct work may cause freezing to occur. Don’t shorten the life of your HVAC system unnecessarily by closing off your vents.

If you really want to save some cash on your bills, keep your vents open and allow the air to flow freely throughout your home, but consider lowering the temperature a few degrees. You probably won’t notice a temperature difference, but your system will be happier without the closed vents and you will be saving money.

If you feel that you are wasting energy in certain rooms of your home by heating them in the wintertime, talk to an HVAC professional about other options. Your HVAC system may need a simple tune-up, and the guys at Complete HVAC can help!