7 Indications That It's Time to Swap out Your Air Purification Elements
Swapping out air filters in your humble abode is a gotta-do task that seems to slip our minds frequently. If you're scratching your head, wondering when it's time to ditch that old air filter, keep an eye out for these seven warning signs. Some of them are obvious, while others might sneak up on you in unexpected ways.
Signs Your Air Filter is Past Its Prime
- Restricted Airflow: Notice that the airflow from your vents is lacking? That may indicate your filter is clogged and needs swapping.
- Grime-Caked Vents: Visual cues are a telltale sign. Dust and grime building up around your air vents? That indicates reduced airflow and reduced quality.
- Allergy Avalanche: If your allergy symptoms are acting up for no apparent reason, your air filter might not be trapping allergens as it should.
- Nose-Wrinkling Scents: An unpleasant, musty odor emanating from your air vents? That nasty smell is your old filter clogged with dirt.
- Breathing, Coughing, Sneezing: If the air in your home seems gross, take a good look at your air filter. Stronger allergy symptoms, musty odors, dust on surfaces, and constant sneezing or coughing could indicate poor air quality, with a clogged filter being a likely culprit.
- Noise Pollution: Forgotten to replace your filter? Chance are you'll notice strange noises coming from your air vents, signaling that airflow is reduced.
- Wallet Whack: Paying more for energy bills than usual? Your old, inefficient filter might be hogging energy as your HVAC system works overtime to compensate.
Let's Talk About Air Filters
"Staying on top of filter changes helps catch dust, dust mite debris, mold spores, and other airborne nasties out of your indoor air," explains Kelsey Hei, a filtration and indoor air quality expert at 3M. Regular filter changes can boost indoor air quality and maintain your HVAC system's efficiency. To make sure you're on top of it, Hei suggests using a smart filter that'll remind you when it's time to replace your filter.
How Often to Swap Out Your Air Filter
"Swap out your heating and cooling system's air filter every three months for standard filters and consider more frequent changes based on your circumstances," Hei suggests. Factors that can shorten filter lifespan include pet ownership, using air fresheners, cigarette smoking, and living in a dusty environment.
Early Replacement, Better Living
There are various factors that can warrant replacing your air filter sooner than usual. **"Having pets, using air fresheners, cigarette smoking, and living in a dusty environment all contribute to the need for more frequent filter replacements," Hei explains. Keeping on top of filter changes ensures optimal functioning and adequate airflow for a healthier home.
- Bhg's housekeeping section offers seasonal cleaning tips, recommending that you pay attention to air filters as part of your regular house cleaning routine, for improved lifestyle and home-and-garden livability.
- To maintain your HVAC system's efficiency and catch dust, dust mite debris, mold spores, and other airborne nasties, consider using cleaning tools like a smart filter from a home-improvement store, such as 3M, which can remind you when it's time to replace your air filter.
- If you own pets, use air fresheners, smoke cigarettes, or live in a particularly dusty environment, it might be necessary to swap out your air filter more often than every three months to ensure the best air quality in your home.
- To achieve better living at home, it's essential to adhere to cleaning tips such as regularly changing air filters, making household chores manageable and promoting a fresher, cleaner environment for all residents.
