Keeping your Lake Havasu City’s HVAC system in top shape involves more than just regular air conditioning maintenance—it’s about ensuring the air you breathe is clean and healthy. One of this system’s most overlooked yet crucial components is the humble air filter. Maintaining clean air filters in your HVAC system is vital for ensuring optimal air quality in your home, prolonging the lifespan of your system, and keeping energy costs down.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through:
- The steps to change your home’s air filters
- How often you should replace your air filters
With a little know-how, you can keep your home and HVAC system running smoothly all year round.
At Air Control Home Services, our expert technicians provide comprehensive AC tune-ups to keep your cooling system operating at peak performance. We service most brands and models of AC systems, and we can also check your air filter and replace it for you if needed! Call us at (928) 680-0600 or click below to request service online today.
Why Change Your Air Filters?
Before we get into the “how,” let’s quickly recap why it’s important to change your HVAC system’s air filters. First, your HVAC system relies on a healthy balance of airflow. If clogged air filters obstruct air, your system will have to work harder than normal to cool or heat your home. Unfortunately, this can lead to costly breakdowns and inefficient operation. Second, your air filters trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating through your home. If your filters are dirty, you and your family will end up breathing unclean air, which can aggravate allergies and asthma. By staying regimented about filter replacements, you can avoid both these issues.
When to Change Your Air Filters
How often you need to change your air filters will vary on several key factors.
The Type of Filter You Have
Air filters come in different types, each with its own lifespan and price point. For instance, fiberglass filters are quite affordable but need to be changed every month. Pleated filters, made from denser material, can last up to three months. For even better air quality, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are a great option, capable of lasting several months. This makes them a smart choice for homes that need particularly clean air.
Air Quality and Allergies
Here in Lake Havasu, Arizona, where dust and pollen count can be high, you might find yourself needing to change your air filters more often, especially during peak allergy seasons or after monsoons that stir up dust and debris. This is also true for homes near construction sites where air quality can be compromised by particulate matter. Keeping an eye on your air filters and changing them regularly will help maintain the air quality in your home and keep your HVAC system running efficiently.
Pet Ownership
Pets add joy to your life, but they also add hair and dander! For pet owners, this means air filters may need to be changed more frequently to manage these additional particles in the air effectively. Regularly replacing your filters will not only help keep your home’s air clean but also enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system, ensuring it doesn’t work harder than it needs to.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Air Filters
Changing your home’s air filters is a straightforward process that can significantly improve the air quality and efficiency of your HVAC system. Here’s a simple guide to help you perform this essential maintenance task effectively. By following these steps, you can ensure that your HVAC system continues to function optimally and that the air in your home remains clean and healthy.
Let’s get started with the steps you need to follow.
- Step 1: Locate Your Air Filter
- Step 2: Determine the Right Size
- Step 3: Purchase the Correct Replacement
- Step 4: Turn Off the HVAC System
- Step 5: Remove the Old Filter
- Step 6: Insert the New Filter
- Step 7: Dispose of the Old Filter
- Step 8: Turn Your HVAC System Back On
Air filters are usually located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air enters the HVAC equipment. It could be behind a return vent on a wall or ceiling in a central room of the house or inside the HVAC system itself.
Before purchasing a new air filter, make sure you know the exact size you need. Check your current air filter; usually, the size is printed on the side of the frame. Sizes are typically listed in length by width by depth (e.g., 24x24x1 inches).
Air filters come in various types and efficiencies, rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). Filters with a higher MERV rating capture smaller particles. Choose a filter that balances air purification needs and your HVAC system’s capability.
Always turn off your HVAC system at the thermostat before changing the air filter to prevent dust or debris from being pulled into the ducts during the change.
Slide the old filter out of the slot or housing. Be careful to keep the dirt and debris contained to avoid it spreading back into the air.
Place the new filter into the slot, making sure it fits snugly without any gaps. Ensure the filter’s arrows (indicating airflow direction) point toward the ductwork and away from the return air grille.
Seal the old filter in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash to prevent any trapped particles from escaping back into your home.
Once the new filter is in place, turn your HVAC system back on. Consider setting a reminder on your phone or calendar to check and possibly change the filter again in the next 30-90 days.
Schedule AC maintenance today!
Don’t wait until your air filters are clogged and your HVAC system is straining. Contact Air Control Home Services for comprehensive AC maintenance service in Lake Havasu City, and we’ll check your air filters during your service. Let us help you breathe easier and live more comfortably in your home. Schedule service today!
