HVAC Filter FAQ: Save Money with This Simple Task

We hope that at least once a year, you schedule a maintenance appointment for your air conditioning unit and one for your heating system—or twice a year if you have a heat pump that serves as both. During this tune-up, our professional HVAC technicians will thoroughly inspect and clean your system, making necessary adjustments as they go.

This service does include changing your HVAC air filter if necessary. However, this is not a task that should only be done once or twice a year. Rather, this is a task you can and should be doing on your own every 1–3 months.

What Does an Air Filter Do?

The air filter that comes standard with your HVAC system is not there to clean the air in your home. Rather, its purpose is to prevent debris drawn into the return air ducts from entering the HVAC system’s cabinet and damaging its internal components. Dust which collects inside the cabinet can cause extra friction on motors and icing to occur along the coils.

Where Is the Filter?

Some air filters can be a bit tricky to find, as their location depends on the type of HVAC system you have, as well as the situation of your home. Locate your air handler, and you’ll usually find that the air filter is on the intake side of the unit. You can slide the filter out of a slot in order to replace or clean it. If you need help locating the air filter, you can ask our maintenance technicians to show you where it’s located.

Why Is Changing the Air Filter So Important?

Your system’s air filter will begin to trap dust and other debris it its fibers as soon as the air conditioner or furnace turns on. If your HVAC system operates steadily for a month, the filter will have caught enough debris that it will be clogged—meaning it will restrict airflow and cause your HVAC system to work harder than it should. It needs to be replaced once a month. Sometimes, depending on use and type of air filter, it can be extended to every 3 months.

To schedule HVAC maintenance or indoor air quality services in Ashburn, VA, contact AllTech Services, Inc. today!