Changing your furnace filter is one HVAC maintenance task homeowners can do themselves. Everything else should be left to a licensed professional.

This is your simple how-to guide that makes filter changing safe and easy. However, if you’re still a little uncertain, ask your HVAC technician for help during your next inspection. A reputable pro will be happy to show you how to do it. In some cases, HVAC systems need a filter change as often as once per month. It depends on your home, how many people live there and how much dust accumulates.

New filters are easy to find online or at your local hardware store. Check yours to make sure you get the right size — the dimensions should be printed on the edge. Or to be extra sure, just bring the whole thing with you. Alternatively, you can find the information on the furnace itself.

You don’t need the most expensive filter, in most cases. When they’re changed regularly, you can go for a moderately priced filter from an established company. Higher-quality air filters will do a better job of collecting dust, dander, pollen and even spores. It also may be a good idea to buy in bulk. Air filters don’t go bad, and you’ll be more likely to change them regularly if you have a small stock on hand.

A Change Will Do You Good

Ready to change the filter? First, find the air handler. It’s an access panel that’s often right beside your furnace. Again, your HVAC technician can show you where this is, too. The filter will be pretty easy to spot inside the air handler. It’ll likely be coated in dirt and dust (you don’t need to be a professional to see that it needs swapping).

Make sure you note which direction the airflow is headed (there’s an arrow) so you install the new air filter in the right direction.

After you put the new filter in, check again to make sure the arrow is pointing in the right direction. Close the access door, if you have one, and you’re finished! It’s a lot like the lint screen on your dryer, but instead of cleaning it off, you just pop in a new one.

During the winter months, and especially the holiday season, it’s common to have more dirt buildup than normal. You’re staying indoors more often, you’re pulling out decorations that may be coated in dust, and you’re having more company — all this brings more dirt into the home.

What’s the Big Deal?

Many homeowners think it’s no big deal if they don’t change their filter for months at a time. On average, it’s best to replace every three months (again, every home is different). Will your HVAC break if you don’t replace it? No — at least not for a long time.

However, your furnace filter regulates the air quality in your home. To ensure your furnace is functioning at top level, contact Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning and schedule an inspection.

Many homeowners cover their air conditioners in the off season to protect them from harsh weather, cold temperatures and falling leaves and debris. But is it really necessary?

All HVAC equipment that’s designed to be outside is well-equipped to handle anything Jack Frost can throw at it. It was made to stand up to treacherous weather, temperature extremes and piles of snow.

However, if you have a very old system, it might not be as tough as newer models.

None of the major air conditioner manufacturers specifically recommend that you cover your equipment in the winter. They also don’t recommend any conditions where covering is required. Still not convinced? Consider this: The manufacturers probably would include a cover if they thought it was necessary.

Unwelcome Guests

There are reasons not to cover your air conditioner (besides it being a waste of time). For starters, rodents and other pests might take a liking to that complementary cover!

You’re not the only one looking to keep warm this winter. Covered AC units can become home base for pests, which can lead to issues like chewed wiring and insulation (after all, those rodents need to make nests somehow).

There’s also the issue of mildew and mold in covers. This is especially prevalent in the spring, but you probably won’t realize it until you uncover your air conditioner in early summer. Your unit needs airflow — it’s what keeps mold and mildew at bay.

Technically, mold in your air conditioner won’t harm you like it can when it’s indoors, but it certainly can prevent airflow and minimize your ACs efficiency. Even then, covers do nothing to stop moisture from getting inside — and wasn’t that the point of covering in the first place?

Water can still get on the condenser coils, freeze, and ultimately damage them. There’s a small chance of this happening over time anyway, whether you cover or not.

Take Cover!

Sometimes covering may be a good idea. For example, if your region is prone to hailstones (and you know there’s a storm coming), you might want to cover your air conditioner. Or if a blizzard is expected, you may want to cover it up.

Still, you don’t need a fancy, expensive cover. A simple tarp with rope and even duct tape will do the trick — or you can find an affordable option online.

Your air conditioner is an investment, and it should be protected, but it will do a fine job (usually!) on its own. Call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning today for any questions on air conditioner maintenance in the winter, or to schedule a routine inspection.

If you’re like most Americans, your HVAC knowledge is comprised of understanding the basic functions of your heating and air conditioning, with a sprinkling of insight on the importance of conservation strategies.

However, it’s actually a booming industry that has had incredible growth in the past few years. From technological advances that help you lighten your carbon footprint to a burst of new technicians in the field replacing retiring baby boomers, it’s a hot (and cold!) industry in more ways than one.

For your next trivia night, here are a few HVAC facts to tuck up your sleeve.

For starters, did you know indoor air is five times more polluted than outdoor air, on average? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 72 trillion allergens enter most homes on a daily basis. Plus, 40 pounds of dust are created in the average American home every year.

The most common pollutants in a home are biological (dander, mold and dust mite droppings), combustion (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and smoke), and volatile organic compounds or VOCs (gases from paints, dry cleaning chemicals and pesticides).

A Dirty Job!

Your HVAC system is designed to not just heat and cool (that’s the H and A/C part), but also to keep your air quality top notch. That’s the V or vent part of HVAC.

The EPA reports that poor indoor air quality can lead to a number of issues, including respiratory infections, rashes, chronic headaches, asthma, allergies and even lung cancer in severe cases. Maintaining your air ducts helps remove biological contaminants.

You can help by allowing outdoor air to circulate indoors when possible by opening windows and using kitchen/bathroom fans.

The average household spends over $2,000 per year on energy bills. Lowering energy consumption means lowering bills. Since air conditioning and heating are responsible for 44 percent of those bills — nearly half! — maintaining your HVAC system and practicing good conservation habits can make a big difference.

Bonus Facts

Programmable thermostats and smart home devices can save $180 per year alone (but the efforts you exert with these devices are minimal).

According to the EPA, about 18 percent of a home’s energy consumption is used to heat water, so limit shower time and insulate those pipes. Also know that re-cooling a hot home costs more and uses more energy than maintaining a reasonable temperature, so stick with 73 degrees (with a 3-to-6 degree variance depending on personal preference).

Finally, it’s shocking, but 47 percent of homeowners don’t know how much they spend on electricity every month. It’s often lumped into an overall utility bill, and many people rely on automated payments.

Ignorance is not bliss, especially when your HVAC system can be controlled so easily. Contact Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule an inspection, or for more tips on how to save energy.