HVAC maintenance is one of the most important things you can perform for the longevity and energy efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system. With the change of temperatures during the fall or spring, it is essential to communicate with HVAC maintenance. Involving into regular maintenance ensures that your unit is in the best possible condition before it functions to work during the cold winter and hot summer temperatures.
One of the most crucial elements of air conditioners or heating maintenance is to pay attention to air filters and ensure that they are clean. If they are not clean, hire heating maintenance in Arlington to replace or clean the filters.
Importance of air filters for your HVAC systemWhile the air circulates throughout your home and the central ductwork system, it picks up dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and other air pollutants. The air filters help clean the air before it gets heated or cooled by your HVAC system and redistribute it in your home to keep you comfortable.
The air filter traps the particles and removes them from breathing air; it offers many benefits. It improves the quality of air sent back to your room. Moreover, it protects the mechanical components of your heating and cooling system.
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is a rating system ranging between 1 and 16. You might come across different dimensions of air filters in the market. However, a MERV rating helps in categorizing the air filters. An air filter with a higher rating can efficiently trap the smaller particles and contaminants present in the air.
Why do you require changing your air filters?Manufacturers design an HVAC system around a delicate balance of airflow pressure. The longer you use your air filter, the more components it traps, making it dirtier. Eventually, you can notice the presence of dirt in the air filters. The accumulated dirt affects the airflow, causing unnecessary wear and tear in your HVAC system. To avoid such consequences, you need to get the air filters cleaned or replaced by experts in heating maintenance in Arlington.
Replacing an air filterMost HVAC systems come with air filters that you need to change regularly for the system's proper functioning. Most users are unsure about the ideal time to change the air filters. Changing the filters at least every three months of operation is ideal for keeping the systems in good shape. You can discard the old one and replace it with the new one.
Here are some tips that you require following while changing the air filters:
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Ensure to turn off your HVAC system not to start running while you are replacing the filter.
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Ensure that the new filter you bought has the correct size and MERV rating. However, if you are unsure about the size or the MERV rating of the air filter, try removing the old filter and look at the dimensions of the filter mentioned on the side.
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Next, install the new filter. Ensure to look for the arrow printed on the filters. It indicates the way air flows through them. It indicates that you are not installing in the wrong way.
If your filter is a washable one, you need to replace it. Here are a few tips for cleaning your HVAC air filters.
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Remember to turn off the system not running while you are cleaning the filters.
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Now, remove the access panels and take out the washable filter.
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Now, wash the filter with clean running water, preferably using a water pipe. Next, clean the filter from the opposite direction of the air.
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Dry the filter and place it in the system.
However, if you cannot follow the procedure or feel something wrong with your system, call heating maintenance in Arlington immediately.