HVAC maintenance, including replacing your air conditioning filter, is crucial for keeping your home cool and comfortable. Filters serve a simple purpose. They keep the air in your home clean and have an effect on system performance. Changing them regularly can have a significant impact on quality and efficiency. Here’s what you should know. 

How Long Do Filters Last?

The life span of air conditioning filters can range from a month to a year,  depending on a variety of factors. The first is usage. If you run your air conditioner only a few hours a day, a filter should last much longer than a filter in a unit that runs continually. 

The size of your HVAC unit and home also play a role. The smaller the unit and the larger the home, the harder an air conditioner must work. You should change the filter more often in a hard-working unit. Also, if you have pets in your house, their loose fur and dander can fill up filters more rapidly as well. 

What Are the Benefits of Changing Filters?

An air conditioner pushes cool air through a filter. The less clogged and dirty it is, the more air gets through. One benefit of unimpeded airflow is less strain. Efficient operation allows an air conditioner to deliver the same amount of cooling using less energy. You may also find you can run your unit on a lower setting and less often.

Air that passes through clean filters is cleaner, too. When the air in your home is free of dust and contaminants, you’ll experience fewer problems with eye and skin irritation or coughing. If anyone in the house is elderly, very young, or suffers from allergies, clean filters will help them breathe more easily.

Need an expert’s help with changing your air conditioning filters? Choose American Air Conditioning in Honolulu, HI. This locally owned and operated HVAC contractor offers air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance services, making them a full-service solution provider. To get in touch, call (808) 847-0851, or visit them online to learn more about preventative maintenance.