Never Underestimate the Power of Change
September 14, 2011
Did you know something as easy as changing the filter on your heating and air conditioning system can make a difference in not only the quality of your indoor air, but also on your monthly utility bills? This small change can offer some surprisingly large benefits.
Improved Indoor air quality. Filters are designed to accumulate dusts, molds, pollens and other contaminants, which can worsen allergies and cause disease. By changing out your filter on a regular basis you can ensure that you are not re-circulating these contaminants back through your system and into your home.
Better efficiency means money savings. A dirty filter slows down airflow and makes your heating or air conditioning system work harder to keep you comfortable, wasting energy and decreasing the efficiency of your system. When your system is not working as efficiently as it should, it will use more energy, resulting in higher utility bills.
Increased system longevity. An air filter’s job is also to keep the inside of your air conditioning system clean. According to Energy Star, “Dirt and neglect are the #1 causes of heating and cooling system failure.” A clean filter will prevent the dust and dirt build-up, which, left alone, can lead to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
Environmentally conscious. As previously mentioned, when filters aren’t clean, your system works harder to cool or heat the air, which means more energy is used. This wasted energy means more pollution introduced into the environment. For example, the more electricity you consume, the more carbon dioxide and other green house gases will be released into the air.
NOTE: When replacing your air filter make sure you use the proper size filter, the wrong size can cause your system to work harder and reduce system efficiency.
More questions? Contact A.J. Perri on our Ask An Expert page.
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