As a home or business owner, keeping your AC in good working order is essential. One of the critical routine maintenance tasks that helps make that happen is regular filter changes. Keeping your AC filters clean helps keep your AC’s inner workings clean. That can significantly extend the lifespan of your system. It also directly affects your indoor air quality. With that in mind, here are seven things to consider when making AC filter changes.
1. Your Recommended Replacement Schedule
The first thing to consider about your AC’s filter replacements is how often its manufacturer suggests them. Most central AC systems require filter changes roughly every 90 days. However, you shouldn’t assume yours follows that replacement schedule. Instead, check your AC’s owner’s manual for its specific requirements.
2. Who Occupies Your Home or Office
Just because your AC’s manufacturer specifies a particular filter change frequency doesn’t mean you can’t do it more often. If anyone in your building has breathing difficulties, you might want more frequent changes. Doing that will help keep the air cleaner while your AC runs. That can ease the symptoms of anyone with allergies, asthma, or upper respiratory issues.
3. Your AC Filter Type
Most residential central AC systems come with a standard fiberglass filter. They consist of a loosely woven fabric in a flexible cardboard frame. However, those filters will only stop large dust and dirt particles from passing through them. Their purpose is to spare your AC from the worst effects of dirt buildup. However, you can switch your filter to a different media type for better filtration. Your options include:
- Pleated filters
- Carbon filters
- Washable filters
- Electrostatic filters
Electrostatic filters are unique among AC filters because they’re washable. Instead of replacing them every three months, you can take them out and clean them. The tradeoff is that you must clean them every month or so. In exchange for the extra effort, you get a better filter that could last for your AC’s entire life.
If yours is a commercial system, it may already have upgraded filters in it. Commercial ACs can use many of the same types of filters found in residential systems. However, you should leave switching between types to an HVAC professional.
4. Your AC Filter Size
You must also realize that AC filters come in various shapes and sizes. To replace your filter, you’ll need to know its exact dimensions first. Again, you can find this information in your AC manual. You can also open your AC’s service panel and look at its existing filter. Most AC filters have their sizing information printed along their frame edges. Remember to note your filter’s length, width, and thickness. Any replacement filter that doesn’t match those dimensions may not fit in your system. And even if the wrong size filter does fit, it won’t do its job correctly.
If the filter for your AC is inside its return air grille, it may be possible to upgrade to a thicker filter. That can give you better filtration capabilities without harming your AC airflow. Please schedule an appointment with one of our HVAC technicians to discuss your options. They’ll evaluate your existing setup and tell you what, if any, upgrades are possible.
5. Upgrading AC Filter Efficiency
You can also consider upgrading your AC to a more efficient filter. To do that, you’ll first need to learn about MERV ratings. MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. It’s a numerical system that tells you what kind and percentage of contaminants a filter can block. The higher a filter’s MERV rating, the more contaminants it removes from your home’s air. On average, most residential AC systems come with MERV 6 filters. They’re efficient enough to capture dust, lint, carpet fibers, and other contaminants down to 3 microns.
Upgrading to a MERV 9 filter will help your AC capture several additional contaminants. They can filter particles down to 1 micron effectively. That includes most dust in your indoor air and common allergens. A MERV 9 filter is a decent choice for most homes and offices. They can improve your air quality without affecting airflow through most ACs.
You might consider a MERV 13 filter if you want even more protection. Those do an even better job of capturing common contaminants. They can also trap up to 50% of particles as small as .3 microns. That includes things like viruses and bacteria. While they won’t transform your home or office into a hospital-like environment, they can prevent some airborne illness transmission.
It’s important to note, however, that switching to a more efficient filter will impact your AC’s performance. Most residential ACs can handle filters up to MERV 11 without an issue. However, above that, your AC’s blower might require adjustment. So, before you choose a filter upgrade, talk to our experts to ensure your system will accommodate it. If yours is a commercial system, it will likely work with a MERV 13 filter with no alterations.
6. Ductwork Inspection and Cleaning
It’s also a good idea to have your AC’s ductwork periodically inspected and cleaned. Doing so will help extend the useful life of your AC filters and the system they protect. Plus, it’s a great way to eliminate a source of dust and dirt that may circulate in your air. Most experts recommend a duct inspection and cleaning every three years. That’s often enough to spot ductwork damage and prevent significant dirt buildup. Duct cleanings are essential if you’re upgrading your AC filter for better air-cleaning performance. Leaving your ducts dirty would spoil the gains a more efficient filter should provide.
7. Consider an Air Filtration System
It’s important to remember that your AC air filter can only improve indoor air quality so much. Consider installing an air filtration system if you want better air cleaning performance. Such systems are purpose-built to enhance the quality of your indoor air. Some systems contain an additional filtration box that attaches to your AC’s supply ductwork. Those only operate when your AC runs, however. You can also choose a model with built-in blower fans. They work as a bypass between your HVAC’s return and supply ducts. They use their fan to draw air from your return duct, clean it, and send it to your supply vents. They don’t require your AC to be running and do a better overall job at improving air quality.
Another type of air-cleaning system uses UV lights to sanitize your air. Specific wavelengths of UV light kill or prevent the reproduction of viruses and bacteria. Installing such a light inside your ductwork can significantly reduce their concentration in your air. UV lights are an excellent way to help control the spread of airborne infections. Plus, they can reduce or prevent the growth of mold and mildew inside your AC.
Your Source for Air Filtration
For the past decade, Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company has been a leader in air filtration products in San Antonio, TX. We offer a complete array of air quality solutions, from duct cleaning and AC maintenance to air purification and filtration. Our team of NATE-certified HVAC technicians has the latest training and years of experience. We can also handle your residential and commercial HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance needs. As a Trane Comfort Specialist and a member of the ACCA, we’re uniquely equipped to serve you. So, if you need an air filtration system or advice about AC filters or indoor air quality in San Antonio, call Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company.