Every homeowner will have to deal with heater and air conditioner repair in Lexington, KY at some point. It can be as simple as a loose connection or as costly as a dying compressor, but the worst is when a complete unit replacement is the only viable option. For now, let's talk about air filters—HVAC experts agree that checking your home's air filters is the single most important maintenance step you can do for your central heating and cooling system. In fact, a clean air filter is what ensures good indoor air quality, as it's able to trap unhealthy airborne particles much better than a dirty filter.
Replacing your air filter is easy, but you must remember to check and change it according to the manufacturer's recommendation. This leads us to a good question: how often should you replace your HVAC air filter? Below, we'll answer this question and more.
Does running your home's central heater or AC with a dirty filter in place usually result in expensive air conditioner repair in Lexington, KY? Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. However, a clean air filter is way more beneficial than a gross, clogged filter. Before you can swap out a dirty HVAC air filter for a clean one, you need to know where it is located. Only then can you check to see if it needs to be replaced.
Different residential HVAC systems have different air filter locations, and not all are in convenient, easy-to-reach spots. Your filter is behind a filter access door in the return air duct, typically near the indoor unit or furnace in the basement, garage, attic or crawlspace. Or, it might be installed in a wall or ceiling. In some older systems, the filter is located inside the furnace.
Most HVAC professionals suggest checking the condition of your air filters every month. All you have to do is take it out of the intake frame and inspect it. If you have heavy foot traffic through your home most days, like children and pets that are always on the move, then chances are you can tell right away that the filter needs to be changed. While the average air filter may contain a lot of pollen and dust, filters in homes with pets will also be clogged with pet fur, dander, extra dust and other particles.
On average, you should replace your filter once a month, or every three to four months for many high efficiency air filters. Check filters more often during higher-use seasons (think summer and winter). If you have a disposable air filter and it's dirty, simply remove it from the frame, throw it away and replace it. Disposable filters cannot be cleaned and reused, so don't try! If you have a permanent air filter, it's fairly simple to clean: turn off the thermostat, take the filter outside to hose it off, shake off excess water and let it dry completely before reinstalling.
You can count on Cross Heating & Air Conditioning Services, LLC for quality air conditioner repair in Lexington, KY. Call us today to schedule an appointment!