Central heating and air conditioning units have become extremely popular, almost to the point that people may take it for granted. 80% of new homes built in the United States are fitted with these systems.
With some simple maintenance, you can enjoy your HVAC system for many years, and can avoid costly repair costs in the future. Among the most important of these preventative steps you can do is to routinely change the air filter.
The air filter in your home’s A/C system is located at the intake points of the ventilation. There are many different types, the most common being disposable and pleated. These filters serve two main purposes. The first is to remove contaminates from the home’s air, and the second is to keep the system working smoothly.
Air Quality
As the air circulates throughout your home, the air filter will remove harmful contaminates, dust particles, pet dander, etc. from the air. In one study, air inside a home was shown to be up to 5 times more deleterious to one’s health than the air outside, when not properly filtered. This is because modern homes are built so airtight that these harmful irritants cannot escape the building.
Air filters are rated on their ability to remove these contaminants by their assigned MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). The higher the value, the better the filter is at removing dust particles and contaminants from the air.
System Performance
The second function your air filter serves is to keep you’re A/C running smoothly. A clean air filter is vital to have your air conditioner working efficiently as possible. By trapping and removing the dust particles from the airflow, it prevents these particles from schmutzing up the other elements of the A/C system.
Dirty air filters may cause problems in several areas of the system. Ice may build up on the evaporator coils if there is not sufficient airflow. This will cause decreased performance, and may damage the coils.
Clogged air filters can also cause problems with the compressor, which is very expensive to repair. Clogged airflow causes the compressor to have to work harder, causing it to fail sooner. Also, decreased airflow due to unclean filters can cause energy costs to rise as much as 20%.
Replacement
It is recommended to inspect your home’s air filter every month. If the filter is dirty, then it should be discarded and replaced immediately. Replaceable filters are available that only need to be cleaned when they get dirty. In any case, filters should not be left more than three months without replacement or cleaning.
By: Budda Oliver
Having air conditioning was once considered a luxury in many areas but now is considered a necessity especially in warm climates that are only getting hotter. Global warming has changed the climate and temperatures all across the nation and most areas are warmer than they were just ten years ago. To combat the increasing temperatures, it is important to have your current HVAC system cleaned and maintained by a Fort Myers AC repair company or get your current one fixed and parts replaced by a Fort Myers AC replacement. It may also be a good idea to get a new air conditioning system for your savings, the environment and your health too.
If your home does not have central air conditioning installed in it it may be time to consider doing so. Many states that were once consistently cooler and never needed air conditioning are now feeling the heat, literally. Two examples are the mountainous states like Vermont and Colorado. As early as just ten years ago, many new homes were being built without central air conditioning because it seemed like something that would never be used. The temperatures rarely get out of the 70’s in the summer and the evening got quite cool and comfortable to sleep through. Now, it is quite common to have temperatures in the 90’s frequently in the summer and those homes are roasting with heat.
Another thing that is important to do would be to have your existing air conditioning unit serviced and cleaned every couple of years. The amount of money that service would cost would be saved in the following couple of years by how much more efficiently the unit would be and that would save on the energy bills. It will also help to prolong the life of your HVAC unit and this too will help you to save money in the long run.
Some air conditioning and heating units are so old that they are not very efficient and in addition to not keeping your house very comfortable it is costing you more money on the energy bill too. Currently, President Obama is offering a tax break if you replace your less efficient HVAC unit with one that has the energy star logo on it because they are also better for the environment. If you purchase a new more efficient system, not only will you save money and receive a bonus back but it is better for the environment too.
Many people with health problems, particularly those living in warmer climates should consider getting air conditioning and maybe a better heating system too for their health. A lot of people that are suffering from life long illnesses have a weaker immune system and get hot or cold more easily leading them to further illness. Neurological illnesses like multiple sclerosis are quite affected by extreme heat and when the people suffering from it get overheated, their symptoms get worse. Therefore having a air conditioner unit will keep people like this healthier.
By: Connor R Sullivan