Your Forced-Air Heater Needs a Fresh Filter

Homeowners today are definitely not lacking when it comes to options for heating their homes. While there is a wide variety of different heaters on the market today, there are certain components that many of them share in common. Furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless mini splits, for example, all use air filters in their operation. Another thing that they all share in common is the fact that their air filters really do need to be replaced on a regular schedule.

We cannot really define that regular schedule for you here, as many factors are going to influence the frequency with which your filter needs replacing. These include the tightness of your home’s thermal envelope, as well as any pets in the home and other factors. Typically, though, the filter (or filters in the case of ductless mini splits) should be changed every 1-3 months. Our Durham, NC HVAC pros have some information to share with you about why this is so vital.

Dirty Air Filters Mean Subpar Results

It may not seem like that big of a deal to leave a dirty air filter in your heating system. After all, the system is still up and running, right? Well, it’s important to remember that the fact that your heater is running does not necessarily mean that it is up and running properly. And the truth of the matter is that it probably won’t be much longer if you don’t address the dirty air filter.

• Reduced indoor air quality. We are going to start with this one if only to lay to rest a common misconception. The standard air filter in your furnace, central AC, or heat pump is not really there to protect the quality of the air throughout your home. You’ll need a more efficient, designated air filter for that purpose. This filter is there to protect the system itself. That being said, leaving a very dirty filter in it may allow unfiltered air to bypass the filter, introducing pollutants into the ductwork and, subsequently, into your home.
• Increased energy costs. Imagine paying more to live in less comfort. What kind of a sucker would do that? Well, fail to replace your HVAC system’s filters, and you may find yourself added to that list! When your forced air heating system has to force air through a filthy filter, it is going to use more energy in doing its job. That means that it is going to cost more to run, even as you find yourself less comfortable than usual.
• More frequent problems. When your air filter is very dirty and your heater is working overtime to warm your home, the risk of running into operational problems with that system is going to increase. The more strain that you put on your heater, the more likely it is that you are going to be facing repair needs before long. It’s just that simple. Spend a few dollars and literally just minutes of your time to replace the filter and avoid such issues.

Schedule your HVAC services with Raleigh Heating & Air.