Clean AC Filters Can Save You Money

There are a lot of things that you can do to help keep your air conditioning costs down while still keeping your house as cool as possible. One of those things is very easy: simply make sure that the filters in your air conditioner are changed regularly. 

Filters

The filter is basically a frame with cloth or paper spread in it; the filter itself can be spread flat or it can be set so that it is in pleats. Setting it in pleats means that it has more surface area with which to do its job. The pleats are designed to catch dust, debris, and allergens, so if there is more surface area then it will have more space to catch all the debris. That will also make the filter last a little longer. Since the air for your AC goes through the filter, the cleaner your filter is, the better the system is going to work. Dirty filters will block the air, so your AC is going to have to run longer to keep your house at the same temperature. There are various kinds of filters that you can choose from. 

One-Time Use

These filters are exactly what they sound like. You go out and buy one, you put it in your AC, and when it's time to change it you simply toss it out and go get a new one. They tend to be less expensive when you buy them but the price will add up, especially if you need to run your air conditioner for several months of the year. One-time use filters are generally pretty easy to find, and you may be able to buy them in bulk. 

Reusable

With a reusable filter, when it comes time to change it (generally every couple of months or so), instead of throwing out the filter and putting in a brand new one, what you are going to do is wash off the filter on both sides so that you get off all the dirt and debris. Then all you have to do is slide the filter back in. You may want to let it air dry before you put it back in the air conditioner, but in most cases that isn't necessary. 

If you have done everything you can to make sure that your AC runs well and you are still having problems and your AC system is still working really hard, you may want to call in an HVAC specialist to come and take a look at your AC for you. Contact companies like Allied Mechanical & Electrical, Inc. for more information.

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