What Air Filters Do
Air filters, typically constructed of spun fiberglass, clean the air that circulates through your heating and cooling system by trapping and containing contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, pet hair, microorganisms, dust, and more. Over time, the filter will capture so many contaminants that it becomes clogged. When this happens, airflow is restricted, reducing the efficiency of your system, and the filter may also begin releasing contaminants into the system.
Dangers of a Dirty Air Filter
The air filters in your home don’t just filter out bits of pollen and dust that would otherwise circulate through the home and lower indoor air quality. They also provide the first line of defense against larger objects such as bits of loose insulation being pulled into the system where they could cause damage or present a fire risk. But if you don’t change your air filter regularly, it can turn against you. Clogged air filters are the number one cause of HVAC system failure. A clogged filter can make an air conditioner work harder than normal to force air into the home. If not addressed, this can lead to more expensive problems that will require you to call a repairman in the future. Call us today to schedule an estimate at (757) 962-0419 .
Indoor Air Quality
Poor IAQ can be a direct or indirect cause of several health problems. Medical groups report that as many as half of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution. Pollutants within the home can cause homeowners to suffer from flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation. Filter Replacement Helps Combat Allergies. For families plagued by allergies, changing the AC filter is one way to improve the air quality in your home. All the dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens that a clean filter traps are getting through the dirty one. Air conditioners pull air in from outside the house, as well. Even outdoor pollutants and pollen are potential risk factors when the filter clogs. For people with sensitive allergies, it is necessary to use a clean high-efficiency filter to remove spores from the air, too.
When you can change your air filters
How often to change your air filters can depend on the following:
- the type of air filter you are using
- the overall indoor air quality
- how many pets are in the home
- the number of people occupying the home
- the level of air pollution and construction around the home
Fiberglass filters are a lower-cost option, but they need to be disposed of and replaced roughly every 30 days.
Pleated air filters are usually made of higher quality materials and can last anywhere from three to six months depending on the material, manufacturer and the frequency of use.
Air Filter Replace Schedule by Universal
Be honest; do you change your homes air filter regularly? Statistically speaking most people change their air filter one or two times per year. With an average cost of HVAC replacement in the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News region of $9500 that could be problematic. Therefore, we offer a scheduled air filter replacement. We will schedule for an inspection to determine which type of filter you prefer as well as document each filter size. Allow Universal Duct Cleaning™ to help protect your home.
Depending on the type of filter you choose, we would visit your home monthly or quarterly and perform the following:
- Remove each air filter
- Perform a Sanitize treatment in the system
- Replace each air filter
- Clean each vent / grate
