What would happen if you just stopped washing your dishes at home? What if you stopped changing the coffee filter at work? Complete chaos. These are tasks that when left undone are easily noticed, and eventually they become difficult to deal with. Just like these tasks, when an air conditioner air filter is not changed regularly, chaos can occur. The problem is that it is often out of sight, therefore, usually out of mind.
What is an Air Conditioner Filter?
The filter is the part of the air conditioner that traps particles that are in the air. The system sucks in air, and as the air is being passed through the filter, those bits of dust, dirt and pollen become trapped there. This is a significant piece of the system that prevents the AC unit from becoming dirty and clogged.
Some air filters are washable and reusable, but most need replacing. These are available in different sized and efficiencies. The type you need will depend on the air conditioner you have. You will need to refer to the owner’s manual to be sure of what size you will need.
There are also different levels of filtration available. You can choose cheap, simple filters that will only filter out the larger particles or there are more expensive filters that trap smaller particles. Keep in mind, that if you choose the cheaper filter it will not filter the air as well. You can contact your local cooling repair shop to help you choose which filter will be best suited for your unit and your needs if you are unsure.
Changing the AC Air Filter Prevents Dirt Buildup
All AC units have a filter, and it is of utmost importance that you routinely replace or clean this filter. A clogged or dirty filter blocks the normal airflow and reduces the system’s efficiency. If it is not changed it can cause your AC unit to burn out quickly or cause other issues that will need to be fixed.
The air conditioner is used to cool an indoor space. It can be a room, a house or an entire building, depending on the size of the AC. Simply, the unit cools the air by sucking the warm air through the cooling components and then blows it out through the vents. The unit continues to do this until the room air reaches the temperature set on the thermostat.
In order for the cooling system to complete this process efficiently, the components must remain clean. When the evaporator coil and other air conditioning components get dirty, the system slows and cannot work effectively. If the dirt builds up, it will eventually cause the system to freeze and form ice. This will then cause further damage to the system components. In turn, this leads to the need for expensive repair work that could have been avoided.
Changing Air Filters Frequently Saves You Money
Changing a dirty filter will not only help your air conditioner run efficiently, but it will also save you money as it lowers the air conditioner’s energy consumption as it does not need to work so hard to draw air in.
Overall, replacing your AC air filter on a proper maintenance schedule is both beneficial for the health of the unit’s systems, and for your pocket book by helping you to avoid costly repairs.
Steve De Vries is a “Red Seal” refrigeration technician with over 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry. He has been a certified Lennox Premier technician since 2006. Steve is also a Master gas-fitter licensed by the province of Manitoba. Along with his Red Seal Provincial accreditation he also holds an electrical license. Born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba, Steve has a very good understanding of a diverse climate and the affects it has on our construction. Well versed in duct design, fabrication, ventilation, and air quality, Steve understands all the variables to take into consideration for our region as well as the science to achieve desired comfort, which is so much more than just temperature.
