Home air filters (also commonly called furnace filters) keep the coils and heat exchanges on the heating and air conditioning system clean. Dirty coils and heat exchanges make the system work harder. Keeping the filter clean helps prolong the life of your heating and air-conditioning unit. These filters also clean the air that you and your family breathe. The variety and amount of particles in your home's air will depend on how many people and pets live in the house and what types of activities go on there. People with allergies or asthma should be extra diligent about keeping home air filters clean. Depending on the type, filters are capable of capturing dust mite debris, mold spores, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, dust, pollen and more. The most important thing to remember about home air filters is to change them regularly. Even the highest-quality filter can't do its job right if it's clogged with a thick layer of particles. Different filters are meant to be changed at different intervals, but once a month is a common time frame.

Brand new homes, as well as homes where there is remodeling or construction going on, will need more frequent filter changes to compensate for the extra dust and residue in the air. Air Filter Types: Size, Shape, Material and Style The first thing you need to know is the size of your air filter. Simply check the existing filter to get the dimensions. There's nothing worse than thinking you know it, and then getting to the store and drawing a blank. Most filters for residential HVAC systems are 1-inch thick, but some houses require up to 4-inch filters because of the volume of air circulating in the home. Adjustable filters are available for non-standard ventilation openings. Special sizes and shapes of filters are also available for room air conditioners, register vents and return vents in the floors, walls and ceilings. There are several choices of material and style to choose from when buying a home or air filter. Performance is affected by the size and density of the material used, as well as the size and volume of the particles being filtered.

The least expensive filters have a layer of fibers (most often fiberglass), in some cases covered by a honeycomb-shaped grille. Pleated filters are more efficient because the pleats provide a greater surface area to trap particles. Many pleated filters are electrostatically charged to help them attract and hold microscopic particles. Reusable filters are made of material that can be rinsed clean with water. Most filters are labeled with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating number, which measures a filter's ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 microns to 10.0 microns. A residential air filter commonly has a MERV rating of 1 to 12. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is, and the more particles it can filter. MERV is an industry standard rating, so it can be used to compare filters made by different companies. Some manufacturers also have their own rating systems. MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) is one example of a vendor-specific rating system. 

MPR is a measurement of efficient capture of particulates, such as bacteria and smoke. As with MERV, a higher number indicates higher efficiency Shop for Air Filters Shop for Air PurifiersThere’s no reason to sweat and suffer through summer when you could be keeping cool with a new central air conditioning system. 50 ton ac unitThe first step is to have a Heritage HVAC specialist come out to your house and do a thorough analysis of your home’s cooling needs. ac unit ice outside unitThis will help us recommend the best central AC system for the job.bjs ac unit It usually takes only one day to get a brand new central AC unit installed in your home by our 5-star technicians. We also do all of the necessary duct work to minimize the amount of energy lost through the ducts when your new system is running.

Homeowners can troubleshoot some common problems themselves, but most air conditioning issues require a professional HVAC technician who can also assess whether you need repairs or whether you’d be better served by a new, more energy-efficient central air conditioning system. Here are some common air conditioning problems and potential causes/solutions. Problem: My Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling Effectively Potential Causes/Solutions: Possible causes include refrigerant that is low or leaking, thermostat issues, a clogged drain or a dirty filter. You can and should regularly change your filter (every 6-9 months for high-quality 4-inch-thick filters; as often as every 30 days for cheaper 1-inch filters). You can also check to make sure your condensate drain line is not clogged, and check your thermostat to make sure it is set properly and is reading the correct temperature. Issues involving refrigerant are best handled by an HVAC professional because EPA certification is required.

Problem: My Central AC Isn’t Working At All Potential Causes/Solutions: First, make sure your thermostat is functioning; the problem could be as simple as a burned-out battery. Also, your outdoor compressor and fan controls could be worn out from turning on and off too frequently. If so, you’ll want to check (or have a professional check) your unit’s electrical connections. Problem: My Air Conditioner Has Limited Air Flow Potential Causes/Solutions: Your ducts could be clogged or constricted, or leaking air. Your filter could also be part of the problem, restricting airflow through your system, cutting its efficiency and reducing its ability to cool the air. For central air systems, our technicians check for and seal any duct system leakage as part of your periodic maintenance. Problem: My Energy Bills Are Unusually High Potential Causes/Solutions: A spike in operating costs most often signals inefficient operation. After a dirty filter, the most likely culprit may be a choked condenser coil.

If so, it is probably time for a tune-up. Q: Should I turn off my air conditioning system while I’m at work?Though that may sound like an efficient way to save energy, the opposite is true. Turning your system off during the day forces it to work harder to dehumidify and cool your indoor air when you get home, and to contend with heat that’s been building up in your walls and furniture all day. Instead, use a programmable thermostat to “set it and forget it” a maximum of 3 degrees warmer than your temperature setting when you are home. Q: What is the expected life span of a central air conditioning system? A: It varies, of course, but the average is 15-17 years. In some new construction projects where the emphasis is on keeping costs to a minimum, the less-expensive systems chosen may have a shorter lifespan, averaging 11-13 years. Q: How important is proper sizing of a central AC system? A: Proper sizing and installation are key elements in determining air conditioner efficiency.

Too large a unit will not adequately remove humidity. Too small a unit will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature on the hottest days. Improper unit location, lack of insulation and improper duct installation all can greatly diminish efficiency. Q: Do I ever need to have my refrigerant “topped off”?HVAC systems do not consume the refrigerant as part of the cooling process. If the refrigerant is low, this indicates either that there is a leak or that it was set up improperly. Q: How efficient are central air conditioners today? A: Today’s most efficient air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. FAST same day service, upfront pricing and clean, courteous technicians. Why wait all day for service?

Schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you. We’ll show up on time, listen to your needs, diagnose your situation, make recommendations and prepare pricing by the job, not by the hour, so there are no surprises. Our technicians will take great care of your home. They wear shoe covers, put down drop cloths, are trained to perform the work you need and will thoroughly clean up the work area. We follow up with a phone call to be sure you are satisfied. We stand by everything we do. We’re here to help make your home heating problems go away. Just call Heritage – we’ll get it fixed today 603-668-4438 (NH) | Our home cooling contractor services are 100% GUARANTEED. We back all our work with a written guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, we will come back and fix the job for FREE. Heritage offers plumbing, heating, cooling, and electric repair, installation, and maintenance to residences in New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts. We routinely install, repair, and maintain oil and propane fired furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, central air conditioning units, Ductless AC units, and mini splits, as well as perform all of the necessary plumbing and electrical repairs, installations, and services you would come to expect from a trusted local plumbing and heating company.