During the hottest time of the year, you want your air conditioner to function effectively and reliably, right? We are also willing to bet that you want that system to function efficiently, so that you don’t drain your budget just trying to keep your home cool and comfortable. All of this is exactly why it is so important that you schedule routine air conditioning maintenance in Kingsburg, CA.
Even if you are diligent in scheduling regular air conditioning tune-ups, though, there is one task that you should be handling on your own. That is changing the air filter in your air conditioner. It may not sound like much, and it is indeed a very simple task to complete, but the fact is that failing to change this filter can cause some big problems. Consider the following, and remember to keep your air filter’s condition in mind!
What to Expect from a Dirty Air Filter
Why can’t my technician just change my filter for me during my tune-up, you may be asking yourself. Well, you’re on the right track. When a professional AC technician tunes up your air conditioner for the, he or she will change your air filter for you. This is just once a year, though, and these standard air filters generally need changing once every 1-3 months. That means that you cannot just wait around until you next scheduled service. But why is this so important?
- Efficiency. While we may not live in the hottest region of California, it goes without saying that our air conditioners are still up and running quite a bit throughout the year. That means that energy costs can really add up over the course of the long cooling season. When a dirty air filter is creating excessive airflow resistance in your system, your air conditioner will use more energy than it should have to in cooling your home. This drives up energy costs.
- Reliability. A dirty filter can negatively affect your air conditioner’s performance, as well. The system may overheat, causing it to short cycle. This means it will start up, run only briefly, and then shut down again. This not only drives up energy costs, but can also put a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the system. Not only that, but reduced airflow can cause your coil to freeze up, which will insulate it and exacerbate the problem.
- Air Quality. Your comfort and your air conditioner itself suffering due to a dirty air filter should be more than enough reason for changing your filter regularly. Keep in mind that the air quality throughout your home could suffer as well, though. While these filters are not really there to improve your indoor air quality, allowing one to clog up could lead unfiltered air to force its way around the filter, rather than through it. That can introduce pollutants into your living space.
Don’t let a dirty air filter leave you with unneeded problems on your hands. California Indoor Comfort Inc. is here for your home cooling needs.