Air filters can be the saving grace for your air conditioning unit or your silent killer it all depends on how you take care of your system. In fact, most air conditioning system problems stem from not changing your air filter. This is due to the fact that when your filter is clogged it forces your system to work harder causing wear and tear to your unit.

Here are four reasons why it is important to change your system’s air filter:

1. Unit Breakdown – Clogged air filters make it harder for your unit to work properly. The amount of strain caused by a dirty filter means that your systems’ motors are working harder than they were designed too. Eventually, this can cause your unit to break down earlier than it should be forcing you to buy a new unit which can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $8,000.
2. Decreased Comfort– Clogged air filters allow very little air to flow through your system, resulting in less cool air and less comfort for you and your family. When there is a layer of dirt and dust in your filter, it blocks cool air from coming into your home. In some cases as well restricted airflow over the air conditioner’s refrigerant coils causes them to freeze up and block air even further.
3. Higher Energy Bills– A dirty air filter makes your entire unit work harder than it normally would to cool your home. Which naturally means that it is consuming more electricity than it would with a clean air filter. This results in higher than normal energy bills and according to the Department of  Energy, a clogged air filter will cause a 15% percent increase in energy use.
4. Poor Indoor Air Quality–  Having a clogged air filter will cause a build up of dirt and dust in your ducts. This dust that will accumulate over time will be pushed directly into your home and directly into the air you breathe. This is bad news for people with allergies along with asthma as it can make it harder for people in your home to breathe.

Want to prevent these problems?

Simply check your filter once a month and change it if it is covered in contaminants. Keep in mind that changing your air filter is just one part of maintaining your air conditioner, in fact, you should be having your system checked over by a professional at least once a year.

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