Paying attention to the HVAC system in your home is a critical step in routine home maintenance. However, if you avoid doing it, you can set yourself up for big problems later on.
Even if you don’t have any major renovations or DIY projects on the horizon, checking up on your air filtration system is essential for safety and comfort. With this in mind, here are some common air filter mistakes you might be making.
Forgetting To Change Your Air Filter
Your air filter has one of the most important jobs in your home: making sure that the air that you breathe to survive is clean. Nonetheless, when you avoid changing the filter, dirt builds up quickly, and the filter performs its job less accurately.
The dirt on your filter restricts airflow, making your HVAC system have to work harder to achieve the same result. The increased strain on your system will lead to more costly electrical bills each month if you don’t address the issue. You should set a reminder to change your filter once every two to three months so that you don’t forget.
Not Knowing Your Air Filter’s Size
You can’t change your air filter properly if you don’t know its correct size. Unfortunately, not all air filters are the same, so you need to examine yours thoroughly to find the specific size.
If you try to install a filter that is too big, it won’t fit, but a smaller one will let air pass over the edges, rendering the filter obsolete. To prevent yourself from purchasing incorrect sizes in the future, you should buy your specific filter size and type in a larger quantity. For instance, if you need AAF Flanders air filters that are 10 X 10 X 1, purchase a pack of five so you have one on hand the next time you need to change the filter.
Installing Your Filter Incorrectly
A common mistake that homeowners make is installing their air filters backward or upside down. Luckily, once you learn the correct way to install it, it’s easy to remember for future reference.
Sometimes, this isn’t the fault of the current homeowner, but rather that they received incorrect information from the previous owner or some other third party. There should be an arrow on the side of your filter.
This arrow should face the furnace and point away from the duct that carries air. If the arrow is pointing the wrong way, your filter isn’t doing its job properly, and you need to flip it around.
Overall, your air filter should protect you from airborne pathogens that occur naturally in an indoor environment, such as dust. If you really want to protect yourself, examine the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating on your air filter and purchase filters with a higher rating for more protection. Now that you know some common air filter mistakes you might be making, avoiding them in the future will be much easier!
