Well, it was time again for us to change our air filters. We purchase filters that cost close to twenty dollars, and while this makes me cringe on the upfront cost, my air conditioner is silently thanking me. I must admit that I often forget about this small detail. It is such a minor thing to do, but could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
My husband has the task of changing the filters since both are on the ceiling (one requires a ladder), and I am responsible for remembering when they need to be changed. My current system of remembering isn’t working so well. The next air filter change will be stored on my phones calendar, along with the dimensions of the filter.
It is recommended that air conditioner/heater filters be changed every three to six months, but this varies based on several factors:
- Air filters have different qualities of filtering, which aren’t always based on price. Find one that is both high quality and efficient.
- Having pets can increase the need for the filter to be changed more often. We have a long haired cat, so I completely live by this rule.
Not changing your filter could have a negative affect on your heating and cooling system, causing it to work poorly, and require more maintenance in the long run. Investing a few dollars every few months is certainly worth it to me, rather than spending hundreds of dollars on unnecessary maintenance. Just think of it as a date with your air filter; certainly not exciting, but well worth it!