Filter? What Filter?
This is the surprised response that we often get when we ask the business or homeowner where their return filter is. In this article I will address the maintenance of some of the more popular types of filters available. The most common type of filtration is the throw away filter. It can be purchased at the local hardware stores, and by the way, this is the least effective type of filter on the market. The most important consideration with this type of filter is to change it often, and during the summer months this could be as often as every three weeks.
How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?
How often a filter should be changed depends on several different factors:
- How frequently you use your a/c.
- Whether your home is occupied.
- Whether the home is located on a dirt road.
These are just some of the factors that affect how frequently filter replacement may be required. The best way to stay on top of this is to buy the filters by the case and make them easily accessible so that you can change them as frequently as needed.
Another very common type of filter is what’s termed “hog’s hair.” This type filter is made of a material that is cut to size, is washable and will last a couple of years. The easiest way to clean a hog’s hair filter is with a garden hose. Stand the filter on its side and spray it out until the water runs clean. Then hit it against a tree to get the water out. Again, this type of filter should be cleaned every 3 to 4 weeks.
A third common type of filtration is a pleated media filter that is often mounted at the air handler, this type of filtration is usually good for 6 months between changings, but this only applies to 5 inch or thicker media filters. Your service provider can incorporate this filter change when he performs your semi-annual a/c checks. WHAT? You don’t get you’re a/c checked every six months???
Anyway, the most important common theme between all types of filters is to keep them clean. This will save on energy costs and premature equipment failure.
Once again, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air & Electric on Sanibel, FL.
Bryan can be reached at bryan@Sanibelair.com
