One of the most essential aspects of any air conditioning system is the use of air conditioning filters. Not only do air conditioning filters affect the efficiency of the air conditioning system, but they affect the cleanliness of the air that you breathe as well.
The original purpose of air filters was to keep the elements of the air conditioning system clean. More recently, however, people have grown less concerned with the cleanliness of the evaporator coil and the blower and have become more concerned with the cleanliness of the air.
Why Should I Replace and Maintain Air Conditioning Filters?
It is very important to regularly replace and clean your air conditioning filters. This allows the air conditioning system to run more efficiently, and it allows for cleaner air, which can lessen the effects of allergies.
If you do not maintain your filter, then the blower will most likely consume more power and your system will provide a reduced amount of cooling or heating. Also, not maintaining your air conditioning filters could result in the failure of the compressor, and in the higher cost and shorter life of the equipment.
The Key to Maintaining Your Air Conditioning Filters
In order to properly maintain your air conditioning filters, you need to make sure to clean or replace the filter often. How often? Well, this time frame can vary anywhere from two weeks to two months. However, the best way to known when to clean or replace the filters is to look at the filter and evaluate its cleanliness.
Another important part of maintaining your air conditioning filter is to purchase the proper size filter. Generally, professionals go by the rule that you should have 1.5 square feet of filter per ton of capacity. As a minimum, you could have one square foot of filter per ton.
Different Types of Air Conditioning Filters
There are many different types of air conditioning filters. Conventional one inch fiberglass throwaway filters are the most inexpensive, but they are also the least effective. Electronic filters are connected to an electrical power source and are both the most efficient and most expensive.
Other types of filters, which fall somewhere in between the aforementioned air conditioning filters on the efficiency and expense scale, include: conventional two inch fiberglass throwaway filters, pleated one inch and two inch fiberglass throwaway filters, permanent mesh filters, and electrostatic filters. Specialized filters, such as ones that prevent odor, are also available.
The Air You Breathe
When it comes down to it, air conditioning filter maintenance is important, not just because of the efficiency of your system. It is important because it affects the people that matter most to you and the air that they breathe. Wouldn t you do that to promote the safety and well being of your family?