Why is My AC Filter So Dirty? If you felt as if you are constantly changing your AC air filter. Here are three situations that can clog your AC filter and lead you to need Chandler AC maintenance.
How Often Should You Change Your Air Conditioner Filter?
The higher the MERV rating of your filter, the more frequently you’ll have to change it.
You might wonder what a “MERV rating” is. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of any air filter shows how effective it is at removing particles and pollutants from the air. The more efficient the filter is, the higher the MERV rating. The MERV rating of a filter can be seen printed on the filter’s edge.
Besides the MERV rating, the type of filter you have determines how often you should change your AC air filter:
- Fiberglass flat panels (MERV 1–4): These filters, usually 1” thick and constructed of spun fiberglass, should be updated once a month.
- These reusable electrostatic washable filters (MERV 1–4) trap impurities between negatively charged fibers and should be vacuumed or washed at least once a month.
- Pleated (MERV 5–16): Pleated filters are made of polyester or paper and come in various thicknesses (usually 1–6 inches). They should be replaced every 1–3 months.
- (17–20 MERV) HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air): These filters, commonly found in whole-house air purifiers, collect the most toxins and should be replaced every 12–18 months.
Why Is My AC Filter So Dirty?
AC fan is “ON.”
There are two fan settings on your thermostat: ON and AUTO. If your thermostat is set to ON, you’ll need to change your air filter more frequently.
When your thermostat is set to ON, your air handler’s fan runs continuously. This means that air is constantly passing through your air filter, capturing particles and impurities.
The fan only runs when your thermostat is set to AUTO, and your system needs to cool your home.
Set your thermostat to AUTO for the best results. This will minimize humidity, save energy, and reduce the frequency with which you must replace your air filter.
Leaky ductwork
If there are leaks in your ductwork, dust and dirt from your attic or crawlspace are drawn into your home. Once the AC pulls the dust/dirt in from your home’s air, it gets stuck in your air filter.
The solution is to have your ducts sealed by an AC professional in Chandler, AZ. This will ensure that your ductwork is sure of leaks, limiting the amount of dust that enters your home and reducing the frequency with which you change your air filter.
Busy Homes and Finding an AC Professional in Chandler AC
The more traffic your home receives, the more frequently you’ll need to change your air filter.
The more people and animals who live in or visit your home, the more dirt and outside particles they will carry in with them. Unfortunately, this also translates that there will be more hair, fur, and dander flying around your home, sucking up your air filter.
We can upgrade your air filter to one with a higher MERV rating or install a whole-house air purifier as a solution. A purifier increases your indoor air quality and reduces the frequency you change your air filter as the whole-house purifier filters last much longer.
Contact Rescue One Air to schedule any air conditioning maintenance, or if you have other urgent needs or questions, drop us a line and complete the compact form below for a fast response.
You can check out our customer reviews or browse through the Rescue One Air video library to see our AIR CONDITIONING repair crews in action for further information.
