If you are looking for cost-effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of  your home HVAC system, the best thing you can do is monitor, clean and change your air filters on a frequent basis. By keeping your filters fresh and clean, you will not only improve the crucial system performance, but also improve the health of your family.

Unfortunately, due to the tight nature of today’s energy-efficient construction, the air inside of your home is likely to be up to 70 percent more polluted than the air you breathe outside. That means your family suffers year-round exposure to a host of irritating indoor allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold and smoke. Air filters are your family’s first line of defense.

By neglecting to clean and change your air filters on a regular basis, you run the risk of grime building up within your system. This not only compromises your system efficiency and increases your annual energy costs, but the extra strain on your system can lead to costly repairs or even irreparable system damage.

You can use our guide below to advise on the frequency of the filter changes.  While circumstances may vary, these are the general guidelines for the average home:

  • Air filters must be inspected on a bi-monthly basis
  • Pay special attention to the peak of the cooling and heating seasons.
  • We recommend using the allergen-free filters.
  • Cleaning can be performed as needed.
  • Filters should be changed a minimum of once every three months.

Of course, if you have pets or if someone in your family suffers from allergies, you may want to consider a more aggressive approach. For example:

  • Allergy suffers may consider monthly filter changes or even a filter upgrade.
  • Frequent changes can be even more beneficial for pet owners due to the tendency of pet hair and dander to clog air filters.

Again, the frequency with which you should change your air filter depends on the unique circumstances of your household. If you’d like a more accurate assessment of your home filtration needs, our certified technicians are waiting to answer any questions you may have. For more information, contact California AC and Heating, Inc. today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

California AC and Heating, Inc. services Los Angeles, North Hollywood and the surrounding areas in California. To get started, check out our website or see our current specials.