The “official” allergy season may be over, but as anyone with allergies knows, symptoms can linger for some time. And with indoor air quality actually worse than that of outdoors the majority of the time, it can be hard to find relief. Though, it can be a big easier if you perform one important HVAC tasks—chancing your air filter. Many people don’t realize how much of a purpose this serves when it comes to the state of their cooling system.
Changing your air filter is one of those Liberty Lake, ID air conditioning services that we encourage you to do on your own—for everything else we advise scheduling routine professional maintenance. Doing so can actually help air flow through your AC with ease, and reduce the risk of sudden air conditioner breakdown. But that’s not the only step to take in order to prep your cooling system for summer. Keep reading to learn the importance of this task, and what else you can do to make sure you’re well equipped for the hottest season of the year.
How Changing Your Filter Helps Your Cooling System
First off, neglecting to change your air filter can do a good amount of harm to the system. Over time, the air filter collects a good amount of dust and debris from the air throughout your home. And although these particles can certainly impact your health, the true purpose of your HVAC air filter is actually to protect the interior components of your air conditioner.
So what happens when your air filter is all clogged up and your air conditioner can’t do its job as well, because there is debris blocking the way? In addition to preventing air from effectively and efficiently flowing through, the lack of a clean air filter will cause:
- Your cooling system to provide less comfort
- Your energy efficiency to decrease, as the AC fan has to run for longer—which increases your monthly cooling bills.
- Your air conditioner to struggle overall, increasing wear and tear and potentially leading to premature system shutdown.
You should be changing your air filter at least every three months. Although, if your home has significant contaminants such as cigarette smoke and/or pet dander, then we recommend doing this once a month.
How Else Can I Prep My AC for Summer?
Well, we’re glad you asked! There is one very important step you should take now, if you haven’t already within the past year—or the past 6 months if you use a heat pump—and that is scheduling maintenance. The best way to truly prepare your air conditioner for spring is to schedule professional tune-ups from a trusted technician, such as any one of the experts on our staff. During this service, our technicians will:
- Clean and inspect your coils
- Complete a visual inspection
- Check electrical connections and voltage/amp draw
- Lubricate moving parts
- Check for any signs of malfunction and/or repair
…and so much more. All of this helps to prepare your air conditioner for summer. You have the ability to reduce the chance of a system breakdown, restore the energy efficiency of your air conditioner, and lower your monthly utility bills—all in addition to staying more comfortable all summer long.
ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice.