How Much Can You Save by Replacing A/C Filters?

Replacing A/C filters is one of the easiest and least expensive maintenance tasks you can do around your Corpus Christi home. Keeping a clean filter in your air conditioner can save you money by reducing monthly energy costs and extending the life of your A/C equipment.

The primary task of an A/C filter is to keep dust, lint, pet hair and other debris from getting into your indoor equipment where it can build up on your A/C blower and coils. Your A/C filter can also be a big factor in keeping your indoor air free of pollen, dust mite debris and other allergens that might impact your family’s health.

A lower electric bill is the most obvious benefit of replacing A/C filters. A clogged filter makes your A/C blower work harder and use more electricity to maintain the proper airflow through your ductwork and to keep your home at the desired temperature. Dirty filters can eventually let dirt into your airstream where it can reach your evaporator coils, reducing heat transfer and requiring even more energy from your system to keep your home cool.

Over the long haul, the biggest cost caused by not replacing your A/C filters regularly is a reduction in the life of your air conditioner. Parts that have to work harder than necessary wear out faster, so you’ll be faced with an expensive A/C replacement project earlier than you might if you change your filter frequently enough to reduce stress on your system. If you rely on them for keeping your indoor air free of allergens, then replacing A/C filters often could reduce your family’s medical costs, while keeping family members who are sensitive to airborne pollutants more comfortable.

How frequently you need to change your filter depends on your home’s unique circumstances. Check your filter monthly until you get a good feel for how frequently you should change it, then mark your calendar to remind you to change it at regular intervals. And use a good quality higher efficiency filter to keep your A/C cleaner and your air better to breath.

Are you unsure when to change your filters? Call CCAC for tips on choosing and changing A/C filters in your Coastal Bend home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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