ARTICLES

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTER IN ARIZONA?

MAR 31, 2017

Do you know how often you should change your HVAC system’s air filter? Did you know that number will increase over the summer months when your air conditioning needs are at their peak?

AIR CONDITIONING CARE AND MAINTENANCE IN PHOENIX

The most fundamental element of proper air conditioning care and maintenance is the regular changing of the air filters in your unit. A dirty filter not only leads to uneven and inefficient airflow in your home, but it also leads to buildup of dirt on the evaporator coils, which drastically reduces the ability of the unit to cool your home. Luckily, this is a simple task. Depending on your specific air conditioning system, how you use it and the type of filter that you use, how often you need to change the air filter will average somewhere between one to three months. Ultimately, you know it is time to change the air filter when it is visibly dirty. But, here are some other things to keep in mind when trying to assess how often to change your air filter for appropriate air conditioning care and maintenance:

  •  Allergies are no joke: Springtime is prime time for seasonal allergies in the Phoenix area. And in addition to the increased volume of allergens in the air, a dirty air filter can make allergy sufferers even more miserable by pumping even, more dust and allergens into your home.
  • More use wears on filters: With temperatures outside approximately nearing those of the surface of the sun, Phoenix air conditioning units definitely work overtime in the summer. All of that use is another reason to change your air filters more frequently. This element of proper air conditioning care and maintenance will ensure that your home stays cool AND help cut down on your utility bills because your air conditioner will be able to work more efficiently.
  •  It is hot outside: Alright, so you already knew that. But, because the quality of the air inside your home is impacted by the number of people and pets in the house, they will probably be contributing to the dirtiness of your air filter even more in the summer. Instead of playing outside, the dog will want to be inside and unless they are swimming in the pool or chasing after the ice cream truck, it is hard to get kids out of the house once the temperature gets above 100°. This does not mean that you should banish everyone to sweat it out in the backyard. It does, however, mean that there is potentially another element contributing to how frequently you will need to change your air filter.
  • Monsoon season: Monsoon season will be here before we know it, and for that reason, it’s important to remember how that weather impacts your filter.With Arizona’s signature monsoon season comes a whole heck of a lot of extra dust from debris floating around. Guess what? It is going to end up in your air filter. This is one of the reasons why you may find that you have to change your air filter more frequently in the summer months.

If you happen to use the type of air filters that need to be cleaned rather than the disposable ones, all of the above still applies to you. You will need to clean your air filter more frequently to keep up with Arizona’s summer. During this time of year, you may find that your air conditioner works best when you change or clean the filter even more frequently than every month, doing it every few weeks instead.

QUALITY AIR FILTERS

Buying a higher quality air filter can help reduce the frequency of required changes. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations (it should be on the filter’s packaging) and keep an eye on the filter as well. If you find that you are replacing your air filter way more than you would care to, consider upgrading to a HEPA filter. While this will in no way eliminate the reality of needing to change your air filter more often in the summer, it can cut down on the hassle.

If you are concerned that you won’t remember to check or change your air filter frequently enough, consider putting a recurring calendar item on your phone every couple of weeks. The process really only takes a couple of minutes and the increased comfort in your home and the energy savings will make it well worth it.

If you have questions about which type of air filter you should be using, have a problem with your air conditioner that you cannot pinpoint or fix on your own, or if you want to discuss any aspect of air conditioning care and maintenance, contact us today. We have been dealing with HVAC systems since 1976, our air conditioning professionals specialize in the maintenance of all types of AC units and our commitment to excellence is unsurpassed.