Did you know that indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air? Fortunately, there is a tool to help you keep the air in your home fresh and clean: your air filter.
In order for your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to improve, there are steps you can take to ensure your air filter is doing its job. Here are a few air filter tips for better IAQ from our team at On Time Home Services.
Change your air filter every 30-90 days.
Your air filter is critical for keeping dust, pollen, bacteria, and other airborne particles out of your indoor air. But if it becomes clogged with those particles, it can stop functioning properly and disrupt your airflow.
A clogged filter will make your HVAC system less efficient, which makes your utility bill much higher. It also gives air pollutants a chance to sneak into your home and lungs.
Most homeowners only need to change their air filters every 3 months. But if you live in a home with excessive pet hair or smoke, change your filter once per month.
Here are some tips to help you remember to change your air filter on schedule:
Set reminders on your smart thermostat.
If you have a smart thermostat, remembering to change your filter is easier than ever. In addition to its energy-saving settings and remote access features, your thermostat can actually send you reminders when it is time to change your filter. If you have any questions about how to do that, just call a member of our team!
Set reminders on your phone.
If your thermostat is old school, you can still use your smartphone to help you out. Change your air filter, and then set a calendar item for 30 or 90 days out from that date.
Mark your calendar.
If your cell phone is old school too, no worries. Use the same trick with a planner or a wall calendar.
Label your filters with dates.
Another old school trick is to write the date you need to change your air filter on the edge of each one in a package.
Choose a filter with a high MERV rating.
When you buy a new package of replaceable air filters, check out the MERV rating. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV measures a filter’s ability to trap particles and keep your HVAC system running efficiently.
The higher the MERV number is for an air filter, the more effective it is. Lower quality filters with a MERV from 1-4 are typically made of fiberglass. Most homeowners should use filters with a MERV of at least 7-12. In commercial buildings, use a really high-quality filter with a MERV from 5-16.
We hope these air filter tips for better IAQ help you breathe easier.
Knowing that the air in your home is clean and pure gives you peace of mind. We hope these tips can help you achieve an ideal IAQ!
Most homes can rely on typical replaceable air filters to do the job. But if you find excessive dust, pollen, bacteria, or mold in your home, consider installing some air purification upgrades into your HVAC system.
For more information about air filtration technology in Lake Elsinore or surrounding areas, give us a call at On Time Home Services!
On Time Home Services has a team of NATE certified and experienced HVAC technicians who are here to help find the right air purification solutions for you! Give us a call at (949) 649-8777