As a St. Charles, Louisiana, homeowner, you depend on your HVAC system for year-round comfort. Making sure your heating and cooling system runs efficiently is essential, as you want to keep your energy consumption in check and your heating and cooling costs as low as possible.
Your HVAC system’s air filter may seem minor, but it’s a powerful tool for optimizing efficiency. From keeping your system clean to preventing ice buildup, discover how air filters affect HVAC Efficiency in your St. Charles, Louisiana home, and learn how to choose the most effective filter for your heating and cooling system.
Air Filters Keep Your HVAC System Clean
One of the biggest perks of an air filter is that it traps dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne contaminants before they have a chance to collect inside your HVAC system. At Bryans United Air Conditioning, we’ve seen enough dust-coated moving parts in HVAC systems to know that these microscopic particles can seriously affect efficiency. As these airborne contaminants build up in heating and cooling systems, they can slow operation, reduce efficiency, and even limit system life span.
HVAC Filters Increase Airflow
Without an effective HVAC filter, dust and debris can easily accumulate on air conditioner fan blades, which limit airflow over time. With the right air filter in place, you can stop contaminants in their tracks while improving HVAC efficiency and saving energy.
If you aren’t careful, however, your air filter could contribute to restricted airflow. Since all air filters become clogged with the contaminants they capture, they require regular replacement. Our team of HVAC technicians recommends changing your HVAC system’s air filter at least every 90 days.
At the peak of summer, when you’re running the air conditioner around the clock, replace the filter every 30 days. Changing the filter more frequently helps to ensure that HVAC system runs as smoothly as possible, especially when you need it most.
Air Filters Prevent Frost Issues
Restricted airflow does more than merely lower HVAC efficiency. When your air conditioner’s evaporator coil doesn’t receive sufficient airflow, it can remain damp, which can eventually lead to frost buildup and ice accumulation inside the unit. Ice buildup can limit efficiency even further and can eventually lead to HVAC breakdowns. By keeping your air filter fresh and scheduling regular HVAC maintenance, you can help prevent frost issues.
HVAC Filters Limit Dust in Ductwork
HVAC filters don’t just protect your air conditioner’s indoor unit. They can also prevent dust and debris from accumulating in the ductwork, which is a critical component of your heating and cooling system. Naturally, contaminant buildup in the ductwork can reduce efficiency, limit airflow, and affect indoor air quality levels in your home.
By replacing the filter regularly, you can ensure the ductwork remains obstruction-free while improving efficiency and increasing indoor air quality.
The Right Air Filter Makes a Major Difference
Not every air filter will boost your HVAC system’s efficiency. To choose the right air filter, make sure the size matches with your HVAC system. After all, incorrectly sized filters can allow contaminants to enter your HVAC system, compromising efficiency and contributing to maintenance issues. If you aren’t sure which size filter you need, measure the filter cabinet to determine the correct length, width, and depth.
In addition to choosing the right size filter, you’ll want to select one with the optimal minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating. This number, which is on a scale from one to 20, indicates how efficiently the filter captures contaminants.
In general, MERV ratings below nine offer limited filtering abilities and have a minimal impact on efficiency. Filters with MERV ratings between nine and 12 offer optimal filtering capabilities and excellent efficiency, making them smart picks for your home. Filters with MERV ratings of 13 and over are usually designed for commercial and industrial systems and can impact air pressure and reduce efficiency in your residential system.
Whether you want to make sure you’ve selected the optimal air filter or you’re curious about improving indoor air quality, our experienced team is here to help. Call the HVAC professionals at Bryans United Air Conditioning today: 504-208-2071.
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