If you talk about HVAC maintenance, the first thing that comes to mind is air filters. Air filters are essential for trapping pollutants and providing fresh air. However, many homeowners overlook the cleaning and maintenance of the air filters.
It may eventually lead to higher maintenance and repair costs. So, avoid hidden HVAC costs and save money with proper HVAC care by consulting professionals like The Chill Brothers or other experts to clean and replace HVAC air filters.
Types of HVAC Air Filters
Here are the main types of Air Filters with their efficiency level.
| Air Filters | Efficiency | Best Suited For |
| Fiberglass Air Filters | These have a MERV rating of 1 to 4, indicating low efficiency. However, these are inexpensive. | Homes with low HVAC usage and no allergy concerns. |
| Pleated Air Filters | It has medium-level efficiency with a MERV rating of 5 to 13. | Best For moderate air quality. |
| Electrostatic Air Filters | It has a medium efficiency level with a MERV rating of 8 to 12. However, it comes with a high upfront cost. | Best for homes with pets and smokers. |
| HEPA Filters | These are designed to trap 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. These are highly efficient with MERV ratings of 17 to 20. | Best for preventing allergies and respiratory issues. |
| Activated Carbon Filters | It has a medium efficiency level with a MERV rating of 8 to 12. | Best for homes with odors. |
Pick one according to your requirements and save money with proper HVAC care.
How HVAC Air Filters Work
HVAC air filters ensure optimal comfort and improved air quality. Their main responsibility is to make the air contaminants free. Here is how the HVAC air filters work:
- Before cooling or heating, the indoor air passes through the air filters.
- Here the filter traps different types of pollutants according to their type and efficiency level.
- Then the fresh and healthy air passes through the filters.
- After filtration, the air gets conditioned and distributed throughout your house.
Benefits of HVAC Air Filters
1. Better Indoor Air Quality and Health Benefits
HVAC air filters trap dust, dirt, debris, mold spores, bacteria, microorganisms, etc. So, you can get fresh and healthy air indoors. Also, children and elderly people will be safe from airborne pollutants.
2. Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction
A good quality and clean air filter ensures proper air filtration and circulation. So, the HVAC system does not have to push harder to operate well. As a result, the energy consumption of the system is reduced. According to experts like Francis Kasper from The Chill Brothers, clean air filters reduce up to 15% of energy consumption.
By increasing energy efficiency, the performance of the HVAC is optimized. Ultimately, the energy bills are reduced.
3. Prevents Mold
If mold and mildew grow inside your system or your house, it is costly to remove them.
Air filters remove excessive moisture, mold spores, and dust. These are nutritious to molds. By removing these particles, air filters prevent mold and mildew growth.
4. Prevents Odors
Some air filters come with activated carbon layers. This layer can absorb any kind of indoor odors like cooking, smoking, etc. Thus, your indoor environment can be odorless and healthy.
5. Extended Lifespan of the System
As the air filters prevent pollutants, the indoor air remains clean. It reduces the possibility of dirt or dust accumulation in different parts of the HVAC like coils, blower motors, and air filters.
As a result, the system operates efficiently without requiring frequent repairs. The lifespan of the HVAC system increases too.
The Hidden Costs of Overlooking Air Filters
HVAC air filters bring so many benefits. However, you have to pick the right air filters for your home, regularly keep it clean, and replace it every 1 to 3 months. Then it will provide you with the best results.
If you ignore the cleaning and replacement of the HVAC air filters, you have to pay the hidden costs later. The three hidden costs of overlooking HVAC air filters are:
1. Higher Energy Bills
If you do not take care of your HVAC air filters and keep them clean, they will accumulate dust, debris, and other pollutants. So, the air filter will get clogged and restrict proper airflow.
Eventually, the HVAC system has to work harder. Thus, your energy bills will increase.
A clogged or dirty air filter can increase energy usage by up to 15%. So, unless you ensure proper maintenance and replacement, you have to pay higher energy bills just for simply neglecting air filters.
2. Repairs Costs
By Ignoring the air filters, you may pose a risk to other HVAC components. If air filters do not work efficiently, the compressor, coils, and blower motors will ultimately malfunction from accumulated dust. And, you have to go through expensive repairs in the future.
3. Reduced Lifespan
For clogged and dirty air filters, the airflow will be interrupted. The HVAC system will stress out to cope with the pressure. The lifespan of your HVAC gets compromised in the process.
4. Complete Failure of the System
Neglecting to treat the air filters makes your indoor environment uncomfortable and unhealthy. Gradually, other parts of the HVAC will be affected, leading to frequent repairs. Sooner or later the damages will become irreparable and the system will completely break down. So, you have to go through a full replacement which will be highly expensive.
5. Environmental Costs
An inefficient HVAC system emits greenhouse gasses comparatively more than usual. This leads to large carbon footprints. To tackle the environmental impact and inefficient HVAC system, you might have to pay a cost.
6. Medical Costs
Dirty air filters will not be sufficient to remove allergens, pollutants, molds, etc. This will also restrict the airflow. Thus, you may face health issues like respiratory issues, allergies, asthma, irritation, etc. To get healthy, you have to pay the medical bills and repair the HVAC as well.
Here is a chart showing the approximate costs that may occur if you keep the HVAC air filters unnoticed.
This chart is based on the approximate costs of ignoring HVAC air filters. To avoid hidden HVAC costs, take care of the system and the air filters as well. Change the filters regularly and save money in the long run.
Tricks to Avoid Hidden Costs
To avoid hidden HVAC costs, you can follow some expert tricks. The Chill Brothers and other experts suggest these tricks to save money with proper HVAC care:
- Clean the air filters at least once a month.
- Replace HVAC air filters every 1 to 3 months depending on your indoor environment.
- Pick highly efficient air filters that have high MERV ratings. Experts suggest choosing HEPA filters for better air quality.
- Hire an HVAC professional and ask them to monitor energy usage. Also, consult them for bi-annual maintenance programs.
- Keep the entire system as well as the outdoor units clean.
- Incorporate smart features to bring efficiency.
Conclusion
If you ignore your HVAC air filters, it will later make the system inefficient. Ultimately, it will ruin the entire HVAC system. For inefficiencies, frequent repairs, breakdowns, and related health issues, you may face many hidden costs.
So, carefully handle and tune up the HVAC. Keep the air filters clean and replace them within 1 to 3 months. This is how your indoor air quality will be improved and you will be able to avoid the hidden costs.
