For many newcomers to the HVAC industry, we need to talk about air filters. Unless you’ve stumbled upon an article about heat pumps recently, or you grew up with your parents or friends showing you the air filter in their furnace, you might not even be aware that your heat pump has a filter to begin with.
Don’t worry, we won’t shame anyone. Sometimes things aren’t exactly spelled out in an easy way for homeowners.
Well, let’s get started on the right foot by first talking about air filters–what they do, why they’re there, and why you should definitely replace yours if it’s been a while.
Heat pumps and other forced-air heating or cooling systems rely on heat pumps to keep the sensitive interior components intact. If your air filter goes for a long period of time without being changed out or cleaned, you might end up requiring heat pump repairs in Walker, MI more often than someone with a system that’s had a filter changed regularly.
What Does the Air Filter Do?
The air filter is an important component of your heat pump. It stops the sensitive coils from coming in contact with anything other than the fresh air of your home. Dirt, debris, pet dander, and other contaminants get stopped in their tracks while the intake vent takes in the air so that it can cool it or heat it depending on the time of year.
The air filter requires changing every 1-3 months depending on how heavily you use your HVAC system and how many pets you have in the home.
How Do You Change the Air Filter?
First things first, shut off your HVAC system so that you don’t disrupt any components while you do this. Locate the return air duct where the air filter is most certainly situated. Take note of the direction it’s facing so you know how to put the new one in.
Then, if the air filter is disposable, simply throw out the old one and replace it with a new one that’s the same exact size. If it’s reusable, then wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove all contaminants so that it’s ready to be reinserted.
Once you’ve done all of this, turn your HVAC system back on and enjoy the clean airflow!
A Neglected Air Filter Can Be Bad News
Look, the main goal of this blog post is to inform our customers so they’re less likely to do anything bad to their heat pump or neglect it. This works in our favor as well as yours, because your system is more likely to be in good shape and require fewer repairs over the years, and that regains customer trust in us because we’re not just telling you something that will let us sell more systems. We want you to trust us, and in turn, we’re going to help your system run better.
An air filter that’s neglected will cause contaminants like dust and debris to inflitrate the unit and dirty up the coils. This kind of damage can severely hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Consistent filter changes can help stop this from happening so your unit runs exactly as it should for its entire lifespan.
Contact GRmetro Heating and Cooling Inc for any questions relating to your heat pump or a new air filter.
