Are Filter Changes Really Necessary?

Perhaps the last time you changed your filter you thought it looked rather clean, and perhaps
you're tempted to skip changing it so frequently. This might seem reasonable, as after all if your
home is nice and clean then maybe your filters don't need changing quite so often, or it could be
that your filters aren't working as well as they should. It is a pretty tempting to try to make filters
last longer than they really should, but it's worth understanding exactly what they have to do. The
heating and cooling system in a home sucks in air from the room and heats or cools it before
blowing it back into the home. The air filters are there to filter the air before it is sucked in and
passed over the heating or cooling coils. The air filter's job is to prevent these coils from
becoming clogged, as this could cause damage to the system and will make it run less effectively.
In addition air filters are there to help prevent the air ducts from becoming clogged up with dust
and dirt, and prevent dust from being circulated around the home.

The Importance of Doing Filter Changes at Regular Intervals

It has become more important to clean air filters over the past few years as manufacturers have
designed these filters to remove microscopic particles from the atmosphere including bacteria,
pollen and plants and mold spores. This means they can become dirty and clogged up even if
they still appear to be clean, as much of the dirt will be invisible to the naked eye. A cleaner air
filter will help the system run more effectively and will help deliver greater energy savings on
heating bills.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Your Air Filters

Air filters have different ratings, and the higher the rating the more likely the air filter is to trap
particles in the air. Some of them have such high ratings that they are up to 95% effective at
removing airborne particles. These filters have to work pretty hard, as a correctly functioning
heating and cooling system will circulate the air in the home once every hour. These ratings are
called MERV ratings, with the initials standing for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The
cheaper filters tend to be flat, while more expensive filters tend to be pleated as this gives a
greater surface area. One interesting fact is that the effectiveness of the filter can actually
increase once it gets a little bit dirty as the fibers used in the filter shrink, allowing more airborne
particles to be trapped. However this isn't an excuse for not changing the filters, as this is only
effective up to a point, and a build-up of particles will inhibit the air flow through the system.

If The Filter looks too clean check it’s Fitted Properly

If your air filters have been in place for a while but still look incredibly clean then it's well worth
while checking they are fitted properly. It is all too easy to fit them upside down, or to fit them so
they are a little too loose. You may also want to call out a professional to make sure the system is
working properly.