Wisdom Dictates Regular Air Filter Changes; Common Sense Tells You Why

by Greg Leisgang on July 20, 2011

Posted in: Service

Proper maintenance of your Greater Cincinnati area home's heating and cooling system is essential to its efficient operation. That includes regular replacement or cleaning of your air filters, which trap airborne particles. Clogged air filters can't do their job, leaving those pollutants in the air for you to breathe, and may cause problems for your HVAC system.

Dirt and dust that clog an air filter can inhibit airflow, which makes it hard for your cooling or heating equipment to run properly. For example, part of an air filter's job is to prevent your air conditioner's evaporator coil from getting dirty quickly. A dirty coil becomes insulated, making it less able to absorb heat. 

When you're shopping for new air filters, make sure you get the right size (check your owner's manual) -- and keep an eye on the filters' MERV values. All filters are rated according to the MERV scale, or their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20. The higher the rating, the more efficient the filter. The best filters for most homes have MERV ratings of 12.

Some units are designed to work with replaceable filters that are thrown out when they become full of dirt. Other units require higher-quality filters that are washed rather than replaced. You should use your vacuum to remove the larger dust and dirt from the filter before you wash it.

At JonLe Heating & Cooling, our technicians would be happy to help select air filters that work best with your equipment and meet your air-quality needs. Feel free to contact us anytime.

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