Having an air conditioning system in your home makes for a comfortable living space, especially if you live in an area with a warm climate. It significantly reduces the heat in your home on a hot summer day and it can also help purify the air. As is true with most home appliances, regular AC maintenance is key. To ensure that your AC unit is always running smoothly and to avoid future costly repairs, replacing your AC filter every 90 days is critical. Doing so will help prevent high energy consumption, poor air circulation, dust buildup, and more. It is also the cheapest thing you can do for indoor air quality in a Florida house.
A Clogged AC Filter Means Higher Energy Consumption
Your AC unit filters the air that is circulating inside your home. As you use the system, the filter will get clogged up because of all the dirt, particles, and debris that it has to refine. When the filter gets blocked, your AC’s blower unit will have to exert more effort into pushing the air out of your unit, thus, increasing the energy consumption. As you know, higher energy consumption can only mean higher electricity bills.
The US Department of Energy estimates that replacing a clogged AC filter with a new, clean filter will reduce the energy consumption by 5-15%. Pairing that with a programmable thermostat saves more, and we looked at the settings in what temperature the average homeowner keeps their AC on in Florida.
Your AC unit could “freeze up” if cool air cannot circulate efficiently.
Your air conditioning unit has two important parts: the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. If those terms are new, our guide to air conditioning lingo defines them. The evaporator coil collects the heat inside your home, while the condenser coil releases the heat outdoors. Refrigerant circulates through the evaporator coil and is responsible for significantly cooling the air temperature before releasing it back into your home.
The cooling capabilities and heat exchange in your air conditioning unit are reduced when the filter is clogged by dirt and dust. Cool air won’t circulate as quickly or easily throughout the system and can sometimes result in ice or frost forming around the evaporator coil (this is commonly known as, “freezing up”). To prevent your AC unit from freezing up, you need to make sure that the air can always circulate freely. This means that your AC filters should always be clear of any dust or other debris that might cause blockage and slow down the air circulation! A unit that keeps freezing after a filter change needs AC repair, because the cause is usually low refrigerant. Ice that melts into a ceiling is also one route to water damage from your air conditioning unit.
Poor Air Circulation Will Cause Dust Buildup in Your Air Ducts
Air circulation prevents particles, dirt, and dust from settling in your home, particularly in your air ducts. A clogged AC filter will decrease your air circulation, causing dust particles to build up. If not dealt with, this will cause many issues down the road like poor air quality and an increase of insects within your home. Ducts that are already dirty need more than a filter, and an air purifier handles the particles a basic filter lets through. There are more tips to improve indoor air quality in your home. Prevent these issues from happening by regularly changing your AC filter, allowing for air to easily flow through without any blockage.
AC filters should be replaced every 90 days. However, if you have a family member who suffers from allergies or asthma, it is recommended to replace your AC filter every 40 days. Florida humidity works against them too, so a whole home dehumidifier is often the next step.
Keep your air conditioning units running smoothly with our AC maintenance services!
Installing an air conditioning unit comes with the assurance that your home or business will be cool and have clean air. This is especially important if you live in the Florida heat! Regular maintenance of your AC unit is needed to ensure that you aren’t racking up your energy bills or soiling your air quality. At True Plumbers & AC, we handle AC installation, repair, and maintenance for homes and businesses across Lakeland, Plant City, and Winter Haven. Our team of technicians can help you prevent and identify any issues regarding your AC unit. If the filter is clean and the house still will not cool, those are signs your AC needs a tune up, and on an older system they can be warning signs it is time to replace the unit. Call us at (863) 667-6364 to schedule.
