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With seasonal shifts come allergies, no school and sunshine until 8 p.m., but responsible homeownership is keeping up with maintenance and repairs no matter the time of year. 

This includes changing filters on your HVAC unit every three months, if not sooner. Clean filters allow warm or cool air to pass through easily and extend the life of your HVAC unit, saving you money on your energy bill and replacement systems.

Mold and Money. The average filter needs to be changed every three months, but take into account the number of people and furry animals that live in the house. Is there a large presence of smoke and dust? Does your HVAC system get nearly year-round use? All of these factors indicate that you should change your filters more often.

This is because a system with a dirty air filter can result in a pressure drop, leading to reduced air flow, which results in no air filtration at all and sometimes extreme temperatures. This can cause the HVAC system to unnecessarily work harder to keep your home warm or cool, which costs you more money in the long run. Any mechanical component that has to work harder to run efficiently puts undue stress on the entire system. This can lead to premature failure and eventual repair or replacement.

Dirty filters can also cause health concerns for those living in your home. A dirty filter that is exposed to condensation, most likely from the evaporator coil, can grow mold and spread airborne spores throughout the system and home.

Changing a filter in less than 10 steps:

  1. Turn off the HVAC unit.
  2. Open the service panel door to locate the filter.
  3. Gently pull out the old mesh filter and discard.
  4. Wipe off the residual dust around the frame before installing the new filter.
  5. Take the new filter out of the packaging, and make sure it is not damaged, torn or wet.
  6. Follow the directions on the package for changing the filter, and pay close attention to the arrows directing upstream and downstream flows so you do not install your new filter backward.
  7. Check for any gaps surrounding your new filter. (If there are gaps, your filter is the wrong size for your unit.)
  8. Once installed, wipe down any residual dust, and secure any levers or seals on your unit then turn it on again.
  9. To ensure your filter and unit are working properly, observe it while it’s operating.

Tip: Note the day that you changed the filter, so you are aware of its next due date.

Be careful. During the installation of your new filter, you may discover some common and potentially dangerous problems.

  • A moisture intrusion from an unknown source. This could already be creating mold spores, so contact a professional to fix the problem.

  • If your new filter was installed backward or if you leave gaps around the filter’s frame, your system will not run efficiently. Purchase a larger or green-friendly washable filter, or contact a professional to install it correctly.

  • Your unit may not turn back on or your new filter and HVAC unit may not be working together properly. If any of these problems occur, call a technician.

If HVAC filters are replaced on time and correctly, you could save money on utility bills and avoid putting your family’s health at risk during any season, especially allergy season. Changing your HVAC filter should occur more often than people actually do it, but installation can be frustrating. Contact a Warner Service qualified tech check to install your filters without hassle. We hope that this simple HVAC system tip has saved you some hassle this spring.

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