Ross and Witmer 
Your home’s indoor air quality depends on many things, one of them being your furnace’s air filter. Your filter gets dirty over time as it removes particles from the air, and it needs to be changed or there will be multiple performance consequences.
How to Maintain Air Filters
You should inspect your filter at least once per month. It only takes a minute to do and will help you replace it before it gets too dirty. When you remove it from your furnace, hold it up to a light bulb and try to look through it. If you can’t see to the other side, it’s too dirty and needs to be replaced. Refer to your owner’s manual if you need help changing your filter or picking out a compatible replacement filter.
Depending on the type of filter you use, regular or pleated, along with several factors of your home, the length between changes will vary. More people, pets or indoor smoke will shorten the interval. Most filters have to be changed at least every three months, and many need changing in as little as one month.
Why You Need to Avoid Dirty Air Filters
Regularly inspecting and changing filters may seem like a chore, but the benefits are well worth it. When your filter gets dirty, your system’s blower motor has to work harder to get air through the filter so it can be used by the rest of your system. When there is too much buildup, it can stress the blower and even cause it to fail, which is an expensive repair.
The second main concern is that dirty air filters can’t effectively remove unwanted contaminants in the air. This means that things like mold, bacteria, dust and more will enter your HVAC system and end up in the air you breathe. This can cause general discomfort and breathing issues in even healthy people.
Change your filter regularly if you want to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. If you need any help with your Charlotte home’s HVAC maintenance, call Ross & Witmer.