You’ve likely had someone in your life, whether it was an HVAC professional or not, tell you that your air conditioner’s filter needs to be changed. However, the reason why this is so important may be surprising to you.

Most homeowners have the mistaken assumption that the biggest problem with a clogged or dirty air filter is that it contaminates their indoor air—and that this is the reason HVAC technicians tell them to clean or replace it every 1-3 months.

The Purpose of the Air Filter

However, the air filter is actually there to prevent particles from damaging the inside of your air conditioner by pummeling it or jamming the fan, and to keep your airflow at an acceptable level. But when that air filter is too dirty or clogged, it simply cannot do its job, and therefore causes your Fair Oaks, TX air conditioning system to work harder to do its job. Changing your air filter will benefit you in more ways than one—for instance, it will:

• Help Improve Your Comfort: While the air filter seems like such a small component, looks can be deceiving. The air filter stands between the intake air and your HVAC system. So, a clogged air filter will prevent air from circulating through the vents. In other words, you won’t have enough airflow to keep cool in the summer or warm in the winter, and you’ll notice hot or cold spots around your home in addition to temperatures that are inconsistent with what your thermostat says. And discomfort is just the beginning of clogged air filter problems.
• Prevent Air Conditioner Leaks: The way your AC system functions is by absorbing heat form your indoor air—as refrigerant evaporates in the indoor evaporator coil, it’s able to absorb heat from air blowing over the coil. However, with a clogged air filter, warm air is limited and can cause the coil to freeze. As that coil thaws, it causes water to leak into your home, leading to structural damage. Ice on your air conditioner should never be ignored, regardless of the cause, so be sure to give our pros a call if you discover this issue.
• Reduce Your Energy Bills: When your air filter is too clogged, the system’s fan has to work a lot harder to try to bring in a sufficient amount of air due to blocked airflow. Changing or cleaning the air filter on a routine basis is one of the easiest ways to lower your monthly utility bills.
• Decrease the Opportunity for HVAC Damage: When it comes down to it, your climate controls systems were designed to take in a certain amount of air each time that they cycle. When your airflow suffers, though, the components of the system have to work a lot harder just to do their jobs. This means you can expect a lot of wear and tear over the season—and your HVAC system might fail on you when you need it the most!

For more great AC tips and exceptional HVAC services, contact [company_name] today!