The most expensive dirt in the world may lurk in your home’s heating and cooling system. If neglected, dust collecting in the equipment’s air filter could increase your energy bills hundreds of dollars every year and result in costly repair or replacement costs.
Dirty filters cause a system to work harder and break down faster. That’s because unfiltered dust and grime work into critical parts, creating friction that causes unnecessary wear and, eventually, failure. As you move around your home, you drive dust into the air from carpets, drapes and furniture. Pets generate dust particles by shedding, grooming and tracking in dirt from outside. Regardless of where it comes from, dust trapped in a heating and cooling system air filter leads to several problems, including:
To avoid this expense, change filters monthly when a system’s in regular use. Discuss cleaning the unit and ductwork with your heating and cooling service professional. While most types of filters must be replaced, a few filters are reusable. They’re available in a variety of types and efficiencies, rated by a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). MERV, a method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, tests filter effectiveness. The higher the MERV number, the higher the filter’s effectiveness at keeping dust out of your system.
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