If you live in a heavily populated vicinity, there is a high possibility of dust particles collecting in your air conditioner. These filthy dust particles may probably hold up the condenser of the air conditioner and compel it to work intensely. As this would hamper the longevity of the air conditioner and affect its performance in the long run, make sure you steam-clean the air conditioner at least once in two years. Besides, if you live in a highly polluted area, a yearly clean up would do you good.
Furnace filters and air conditioning filters not only screen out debris and unwanted pollens from the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, but they also increase its productivity. If you replace them often, your air would stay healthy and clean without any allergens and all other types of bacteria that could be harmful to the lungs. Moreover, fresh replacements help in keeping the HVAC system running efficiently by prolonging its lifespan and reducing the utility bills after regular maintenance. Make sure you check your furnace filters and air conditioning filters, the need for replacement or cleaning every month and particularly during cooling or heating season when the system is continuously used. If these filters were not changed on a routine basis, your system would have to work extra hard, increase expenses and reduce performance.
How to Clean or Replace Your Furnace Filter or Air Conditioning Filter
Following are some common steps followed for changing the furnace filter or air conditioning filter:
? Turn off the HVAC system and look for the service panel. You could either use a screwdriver or your hand for removing these panels
? Locate the home air filter close to the intake-outtake blower; it might be behind a panel or door that swings or lifts open. Remove the filter.
? Before you install the new filter, look for an arrow (arrow indicating the direction of airflow) along the edge of the new filter. Install the filter, ensuring the arrow is pointing toward the blower motor and other related machinery. Make sure you don't install the filter in a backwards airflow manner as this decreases the efficiency of the home air filter.
? Turn your system on and check whether it is functioning properly.
Conforming to the above given steps you would easily be able to change the home air filter. If you are unable to change the air filter, call for a heating contractor and watch how they change the filter.
Furnace filters and air-conditioning filters are available in permanent (with metal framing or fiberglass) or disposable (with cardboard frames). Disposable models are very cheap, but need to be replaced within a time span of a month. Therefore, it is better if you have spare filters on hand to save time during the course of the year. On the other hand, permanent brands are cost-effective. All furnace filters and air-conditioning filters come with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) Rating that denotes the capability of the product in comparison with the other various brands. The higher the MERV rating, the more beneficial your filtration will be. Learn more about furnace filters at http://www.webproducts.com/Categories.bok?category=Furnace+Filters.
Did you know that not changing your air conditioner or furnace filter regularly can cause some serious issues!
Here is a list of the top 5 problems:
1. Increased energy consumption
2. Increased wear and tear on HVAC equipment
3. Chance of life threatening conditions
4. Poor climate control
5. Reduced air quality
1. Increased energy consumption? When you don't change your air conditioner and furnace filter regularly the filter loads up with all sorts of contaminants like dust and pet dander, if you have a pet. As the filter starts to load it slowly reduces air flow through your furnace. The reduced air flow causes the blower to work hard, which in turn increases your utility bill.
2. Increase wear and tear on your equipment? Adding to number one when the air flow starts to be reduced it causes the blower to work harder, which can cause it to overheat. Also when you are running your gas forced air or fuel oil furnace the heat exchanger gets out of its specified temperature range. So when it gets too hot it expands farther then what it was designed for and as it cools it can cause stress fractures. Also if you have an air conditioner the evaporator coil can freeze due to lack of air flow which causes more stress on the compressor. If you fail to notice that the coil has become frozen it can destroy the air conditioner unit and or the blower motor.
3. Chance of life threatening conditions? As with number 2 when your furnace filter becomes dirty and you are using your gas forced air or fuel oil furnace the heat exchanger can become so hot it causes stress fractures and when it heats and cools the exchanger can crack and leak CO2 into the ventilation system or worse cause an explosion!
4. Poor climate control? When air flow gets reduced it takes longer to heat or cool your home. Also rooms that are the farthest away may not even heat or cool at all because of the conditioned air not satisfactorily reaching them.
5. Reduced air quality? Yes, not changing your filter can reduce the air quality because as the filter gets dirty any small air leaks in your duct work can pull dirt and debris into the system and will blow throughout the home.
As you can see, not changing your filter can cause a number of problems. From increased energy consumption to an explosion that could result in death.
Both Bill Whitworth & Jamie Hanson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bill Whitworth has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Air Filters and Anger Control. Bill Whitworth writes air quality articles for , the Internet's premier supplier of. Bill Whitworth's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
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