Using a Forced-Air Heater? Change the Filter!It is certainly fair to say that your air conditioner gets more of a workout than your heater in Tucson, AZ.Using a Forced-Air Heater? Change the Filter!
It is certainly fair to say that your air conditioner gets more of a workout than your heater in Tucson, AZ. However, it is also fair to say that your heater still deserves the same level of care as your air conditioner, regardless of the fact that it is not used as heavily. That is why routine heating maintenance is an absolute necessity.
It is not enough to have your system tuned up annually by a trained professional, though. There is one thing that you must handle on your own if you want to get the best performance possible from your heater. That is to change the air filter in your system as needed, typically every 1-3 months.
Problems That Dirty Air Filters Cause
We aren’t trying to get you to buy equipment that you don’t need. The effects of a very dirty air filter on your heating system are serious stuff. A few of the most common follow below.
- Inefficiency. You may not use your heater for much of the year, but that doesn’t mean that you should be fine with getting an inefficient performance from this system. If you fail to change your air filter, it is going to be harder than it should for your heater to force heated air throughout your home. That wastes energy.
- Reduced indoor air quality. The basic filter in your furnace or heat pump is really there to protect the system, not to improve indoor air quality throughout your home. However, if you leave a dirty air filter in the system, you will likely begin to notice a decline in your indoor air quality. Replace the filter before it has this negative impact.
- Wear and tear. If you leave your air filter in your heater too long, it may restrict airflow enough for the system to overheat. That will cause it to short cycle. This wastes a lot of energy, but also puts a lot of wear and tear on the system. The result? An increased risk of operational problems and breakdowns.
Be sure to keep a fresh air filter in your heater this winter. Contact Goettl Air Conditioning with any questions that you may have.
