Summer is coming......When was the last time you changed your AC filter?

By replacing your air conditioning filter regularly you improve the efficiency and life of your unit, saving you money in the long run. When you forget to change your filter every couple of months; dirt, dust and grime block the flow of air, forcing it to bypass the filter and carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil. Because the coil is the part of you’re AC unit that absorbs heat, you want to keep the coil clean to keep it functioning smoothly and to prevent your compressor and fans from failing. If you have pets like we do or someone in the household is a smoker and refuses to go outside to a smoke, it is best to change the filter more frequently. Regular filter changes and yearly servicing will help your home stay cleaner and save you some extra cash.

Types Of Air Conditioning Filters & Their Longevity

Pleated Filters – These are the most common filters used. They vary in their efficiency rates (anywhere from 10%-60%). These types of filters should be changed every 3 months.
Electrostatic Filters – These filters give you great value for their efficiency rates. They can be costly (two to three times more than a pleated filter), but they can be reused. You merely rinse them with water, and place them back where they came from.
Electronic Filters – These filters are not very efficient at all. In fact, they’ll never get dirty enough to affect airflow, but they do get dirty enough to become inefficient. They are cleaned by removing the electronic cells and soaking them in a special HVAC cleanser. Once dried, they can be reused.
HEPA Filters – These filters are by far the most expensive; however, they will keep your air cleaner than any other type of filter. With that in mind, these filters need to be changed every month to maintain their efficiency, as they become plugged very quickly.
Economy Panel Filters – These filters can be bought at your local hardware stores in packs of four. They are very inexpensive, and as such, they are extremely inefficient. In fact, most HVAC experts will tell you to steer clear of these filters altogether. Since they are not good at collecting dust, that dust travels where it shouldn’t go…your evaporator coil. Ultimately, you will end up spending more having your evaporator coil cleaned (which it would need to be) than you would have if you bought the proper filters…not to mention the wear and tear on your HVAC equipment.