When it comes to keeping your home comfortable during those sweltering St. Louis summers, your air conditioner is the hero of the day. But like any hero, it needs a bit of support to perform its best. One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to ensure your AC system is running efficiently is by maintaining clean air filters. This not only boosts AC performance but also improves the overall air quality in your home.
Galmiche & Sons is a full-service heating and cooling company serving the St. Louis area. Our technicians can help with optimizing your AC performance and efficiency by providing regular HVAC maintenance and service as well as offering tips to keep your system running at peak efficiency. Contact us to learn more.
Why Air Filters Matter
Air filters in an AC system serve a crucial function: they trap dust, dirt, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating through your home. Over time, these filters can become clogged, which makes your AC unit work harder to pull air through and distribute it throughout your home.
Boosting AC Performance
When your air filter is clean, your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. This means it can cool your home more effectively and efficiently. In contrast, a clogged filter restricts airflow affecting AC efficiency and causing the system to struggle to maintain your desired temperature.
This inefficiency can lead to a variety of problems:
- Increased Energy Consumption: A struggling AC unit consumes more energy to achieve the same level of cooling, which can cause your electricity bills to soar.
- Wear and Tear: Constant overworking leads to increased wear and tear on the system’s components, reducing the overall lifespan of your unit.
- Comfort Issues: Uneven cooling can result in hot spots in certain areas of your home, making it difficult to stay comfy during St. Louis’ hottest days.
Enhancing Air Quality
Changing air filters regularly improves AC performance and significantly enhance the quality of air circulating in your home. Dirty filters can become breeding grounds for pollen, bacteria, and mold, which can then be distributed throughout your household.
By regularly changing or cleaning your air filters, you can:
- Reduce Allergens: Keep pollen, dust mites, and pet dander at bay, making your home a safer space for allergy sufferers.
- Minimize Bacteria and Mold: Decrease the likelihood of mold spores and bacteria circulating in the air, thus lowering the risk of respiratory issues and infections.
- Eliminate Odors: Trap particulate matter that can cause unpleasant smells, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.
How Often Should You Change Your Air Filters for Improved AC Performance?
The frequency with which you should change your air filters depends on several factors, including the type of air filter, your household, and environmental conditions in St. Louis. Generally, you should aim to check your filters every month and replace them at least every three months. The guidelines below can help.
- Standard Filters: Typically need replacing every 30 to 90 days. Homes with pets or people with allergies may need to change these more frequently.
- High-Efficiency Filters: These can last between six months to a year, but it’s still a good practice to inspect them monthly.
- Reusable Filters: These should be cleaned every month and replaced annually, depending on their condition and manufacturer’s guidelines.
Get Professional Help from Galmiche & Sons to Optimize AC Performance
While routine maintenance can usually be handled by the homeowner, there are times when professional help is needed. If you are unsure about how to change your filters, or you suspect there may be a more serious issue affecting your AC performance, don’t hesitate to contact a Galmiche & Sons HVAC professional in St. Louis.
