Everyone wants to save a buck. Well, here’s a quick and easy way to make sure that you aren’t wasting any money on heating and cooling your home… are you ready? Here it is: change your HVAC air filter.
Did you know that most people only change their air filter when they notice that their home is too hot or too cold? What they’re doing is allowing the filter to get dirty; which prevents air from moving through the system and shreds any semblance of efficiency in their heating and cooling system.
The air filter for your HVAC system is located in the return air duct. Depending on where your air handling unit is located, the filter can be in a number of different places. If your air handling unit is in a closet or the basement, the filter may very well be right there at the unit. In some cases, it will be located behind the return air vent in the wall of your house. If your air handling unit is in the attic, the filter will be behind the return air vent, which is usually in the ceiling.
Most air filters should be changed every month. There are some manufacturers who produce 90 day filters, which only need to be changed every three months. If you live in an area with a lot of dust, you should check your filter more often. A little dust is okay, but when it starts building up to the point where it blocks airflow, it is cutting into the efficiency of your system.
If your home has a digital thermostat, most come with a filter alarm. Just press the button on the control panel that says “filter” and it will warn you on the screen when 30 days is up and it is time to change your air filter.
If you change your air filter, and the airflow from your vents still seems low, it’s possible that you have a clogged evaporator coil. Call us at Home Comfort Experts, and let us check it out for you.
Home Comfort services the Mishawaka/South Bend areas of Indiana.