Air Conditioning Maintenance Contractor in Sacramento
Everyone knows they should clean the air filters on their heating and air conditioning units, but is it really worth it? There are so many tasks that must be accomplished around the home, no one wants to add anything to their never-ending to-do list unless it has some actual benefit. Changing your air filter is simple through the help of an air conditioning maintenance contractor in Sacramento.
Health
The air filter of an air conditioning unit is an important part of the unit. It serves as the first method of purifying air that enters your home and must be cleaned regularly to do its job effectively. Many people don’t realize just how much there is in the air that runs through these systems – countless pathogens, dust particles, and allergens that must be removed before entering the home. Due to the limited ventilation, if these particles are allowed to enter the home, they usually do not leave. When pathogens are allowed to sit undisturbed, they fester and multiply. Of all the many studies on air pollution, more than 67% show indoor air to be more polluted than outdoor.
To protect your home and family from breathing in this dirty air, it is important to have your heating and air conditioning units checked regularly by an air conditioning maintenance contractor in Sacramento. Between checks, it is simple to learn how to change your own air filter.
System Efficiency
Dirty air filters result in more work for your unit. Though you may not necessarily be able to feel a difference in air pressure, the effort the machine must go through to supply the same amount of air through a clogged filter is certainly elevated. A harder-working unit is a less efficient unit, resulting in many problems:
- Increased costs – if your air conditioner or heater must work twice as hard to expel the same amount of air, you can anticipate significantly higher costs.
- Wear and tear – when a unit isn’t working smoothly or must work with excessive force, this increases the chances of overheating and other damages. Less efficient units also have lower life spans, meaning expensive repairs and replacements occur more often.
- Decreased output – a clogged air filter means it’s more difficult for treated air to escape the unit, which is the whole point! You may be less comfortable in your home because you can’t feel the treated air you’re paying for.
Changing Your Filter
Now that you’re convinced it’s an important task to take on, let’s learn how to do it! Remember, an air conditioning maintenance contractor in Sacramento is the best approach you can go in ensuring your air filter is changed properly. The frequency with which a filter should be changed depends on the exact filter being used, but generally a filter should be changed two or three times a year. It is very likely that there are several basic or “performance” filters available for your specific unit. It’s a good idea to search the web for reviews or to speak to an experienced air conditioning maintenance contractor in Sacramento to help you choose which filter is best for your needs. Be sure you buy the correct size! A filter that does not properly fit will not properly filter.
Steps to replacing your filter:
- Be sure the unit is off.
- Locate the filter inside the unit.
- Use a cloth or paper towel to give the filter area and surrounding equipment surfaces a nice wipe-down.
Fit the new filter into place by matching the direction of arrows on the filter and on the filter frame.
If you’re not ready to completely replace your filter and you use one that is specified as reusable, cleaning the air filter is also simple:
- Remove dirty filter.
- Clean the filter frame and surrounding areas with a cloth or paper towel.
- Rinse the filter with a hose.
- Soak the filter or scrub with a solution of water and bacteria – this helps prevent any bacteria from growing on your filter.
- Set the filter out to dry – do not use your unit at this time! It can cause damage by pulling the incorrect amount of air through the unit.
- Reinsert the filter into the unit once it is completely dry.
Call an Air Conditioning Maintenance Contractor in Sacramento for Air Filter Changing Needs
Air conditioning is an absolute must in the Sacramento heat. As a family owned business with over 50 years of experience, you can trust Clarke & Rush to fulfill all your air conditioning needs. If you need help changing your filter, make sure to give us a call and speak to an air conditioning maintenance contractor in Sacramento.
