HVAC filters

Why Changing Your HVAC Filters Is So Important

October 24, 2019

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning professionals report that dirty HVAC filters are the primary cause for furnace and air conditioning malfunctions. Cleaning or replacing filters regularly keeps your Okeana, Ohio, HVAC system clean. Cleaning filters are part of preventive maintenance that keeps units running efficiently. Well-maintained units use less energy and are better at keeping you comfortable.

Improved System Efficiency

Standard HVAC filters trap large airborne particulates. When filters get clogged, these particulates enter the system. When components become coated with dust and debris, the system must work harder to heat and cool. Clogged filters impede airflow, which reduces energy efficiency and make a unit run longer. Eventually, the unit becomes overtaxed and stops working.

Better Indoor Air Quality

Clogged filters allow pollutants to bypass the filter, enter the living space and affect the air you breathe. Cleaning filters are the first step in improving indoor air quality. However, standard filters are not designed to capture small particulates. Higher-grade filters can improve air quality.

Benefits of Upgrading Filters

Filters are rated according to a standardized scale called Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV. The higher the MERV number, the better the filtration. Standard filters are rated between MERV 1 and 4. Most household pollutants easily escape this low level of filtration. Ratings between MERV 8 and 13 provide adequate filtration for most household needs.

High-efficiency filters create more resistance to airflow that may create a pressure drop. Check with your HVAC contractor to determine which filters will work best with your heating and cooling system. High-efficiency filters are typically used in hospitals and with commercial HVAC systems.

Schedule Preventive Maintenance

If you are interested in avoiding repairs, schedule a tune-up to make sure your system works properly. Western Hills Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has provided heating and cooling solutions for more than 30 years for residents of Okeana, Ohio and the surrounding area. Our preventive maintenance programs help keep your system in tip-top shape.

For more information about the benefits of maintaining your HVAC system or to schedule a maintenance appointment, call (812) 227-3001 to speak to one of our NATE-certified technicians.

You May Also Like

What’s Causing Your Ductless Mini-Split Leak in Florence, KY?

What’s Causing Your Ductless Mini-Split Leak in Florence, KY?

A water leak coming from your Florence, KY ductless mini-split has the potential to damage your system and your home. If you’ve noticed water leaking from your ductless mini-split, you’re probably dealing with at least one of these common problems. Defrosting There is...

3 Ways You’re Damaging Your Own IAQ in Cincinnati, OH

3 Ways You’re Damaging Your Own IAQ in Cincinnati, OH

People care about their health, but one easily overlooked factor in your health is the quality of the air inside your home. Your indoor air quality (IAQ) fluctuates, but some common habits can lower it, which can pose a variety of health issues in the long term. Here...

4 Wintertime Heat Pump Problems in Florence, KY

4 Wintertime Heat Pump Problems in Florence, KY

Like any important home system, heat pumps don’t last forever. Luckily, heat pumps will usually exhibit certain signs to warn you that something is wrong. If you live in Florence, KY, you want to make sure your heat pump doesn't experience any of these common problems...

Pin It on Pinterest

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close