While many homeowners may know they should change their air filters regularly, some may not know what kind to get. If you’re a first-time homebuyer and have never had to worry about your filter before, how do you know what will suit your needs and your budget? There are different options available and it’s important to pick the right one for your home and family. So, where do you start? First, determine the size. Home air filters, or HVAC air filters, come in different sizes, both in area and thickness. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, filters work best when they have a tight fit. If there are gaps around the filter’s frame once installed, the filter may be the wrong size for your system. When it comes to thickness, filters can be anywhere from less than 1 inch to more than 4 inches. But, according to the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA), most homes have only a 1-inch space for a filter, so it’s important to check your system’s requirements and purchase get the size that fits.

, there are different types of home air filters offering varying performance levels and maintenance requirements. In general, filters are most effective when new and clean, but some last longer than others. says the main kinds of residential filters available are: Tips to Consider Before Adding a Fire PitGet A Quick, Personalized Insurance Quote Today.Type of InsuranceAutoHomeRentersLifeCondoMotorcycleBoatATV/Rec. VehicleBusiness InsuranceRetrieve a saved quoteEdit If someone in your family has allergies, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) says air filters that collect more particles might be better for improving air quality and may make breathing easier. Even if allergies aren’t a problem, no matter which kind you choose, ACAAI suggests changing or cleaning your filter at least every two to three months. Air filters are usually given a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This rating helps you determine how well the filter traps particles, and home filters generally have a rating of 1 to 13.

This number signifies how efficient the filter is, where a higher MERV rating means it can collect more particles. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests purchasing a filter with a MERV rating of 6 or greater for your home. While you may think you want your air filters to be the most efficient kind, NAFA notes it is important to keep in mind that the greater the efficiency rating, the lower the airflow. That means it could potentially cost more to run the system due to the greater resistance caused by the air filter. The best air filters for homes are the ones that meet the needs of both your HVAC system and family. Whichever kind you choose, ASHRAE recommends changing disposable ones or cleaning reusable and washable ones as they get dirty since air flow is restricted when the filter is full of particles. You may want to consult your system’s user guide for more specific recommendations for your situation.Listen, we know life gets busy.

So it’s easy to forget to do minor maintenance tasks around the home, especially in the summer.But, if you forget to change your air conditioner’s air filter at least once a month, you may have a dead air conditioner on your hands.According to ENERGY STAR, “A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.”window ac unit alternativesSo, how in the world can a dirty air filter do all that? central ac units 5 tonWe’ll discuss why in this article. central air conditioning cost 2012Once you know why, you’ll hopefully be much more likely to remember to change it!Your air filter’s job is to keep pollution and debris out of your air conditioner. Basically, it’s safety net.But once that filter gets clogged with dirt, it slows down airflow in your air ducts, making your central air conditioner work harder to cool your home.

To give you a more concrete way of thinking about it, imagine breathing with a thick sweater over your face.Sure, there are holes for you to breathe through, but you have to put much more effort into breathing.  Well, that’s what it’s like for your air conditioner trying to move air with a dirty air filter in the return duct. It’s working harder and longer to compensate for the barrier of dust and dirt.If this continues, your air conditioner’s cooling coil will eventually freeze, causing the compressor to fail.If your air conditioner isn’t in warranty, prepare for an expensive repair bill—between $400-$1550 (depends on who’s installing it, and the size and brand of your air conditioner).And the last thing you want is you air conditioner to break down on the hottest day of summer.Another possibility is that the air handler (the inside A/C unit blowing the air throughout your home) overheats and breaks, another problem you don’t want to pay for.Change the air filter at least once a month for maximum efficiency.

This is especially true in the summer when you’re using your air conditioner all the time. There’s more air going through the vents, which means the filter is catching more particles, more often.Check out our article, How To Select An Air Filter for Your Northern California Home.Need help choosing an air filter? Ask one of our experts for help.It’s spring in the Milwaukee area, meaning you’ll need an energy efficient air conditioner. Although it may not feel like it, the brutal Wisconsin summer is just around the corner. Your HVAC system needs to be prepared to cool your home soon through air conditioner cleaning, filter replacement, HVAC system repair, or new air conditioning installation. Old, power hungry air conditioners and dirty filters lower the energy efficiency of your home. Quality Heating offers quality Milwaukee area air conditioner installation and repair services, saving you hundreds of dollars in cooling costs over the summer months. Here’s how you can breeze through the upcoming Wisconsin summer while remaining energy efficient:

Damaged air conditioner or ventilation systems can operate at lower efficiency or leak cold air away from the house. Your Milwaukee area HVAC system must be in top condition before your first summer electric bill arrives. Call the Milwaukee area HVAC maintenance experts at Quality Heating for a free consultation to avoid high energy bills. When you replace the dirty air filter, you not only save yourself from dust and allergies, you improve your air conditioner’s energy efficiency. Look at your air filter every 30 to 90 days to avoid dust and dirt buildup. The new air filter pays for itself because the AC unit doesn’t need to work as hard to push cool air into your home. Quality Heating HVAC system technicians will inspect your air conditioner and perform air filter replacement. Dust and dirt can collect on your air conditioning unit’s condenser coil, trapping heat and preventing it from radiating. When your condenser starts running hot, your air conditioner has to work harder to cool the air.

This substantially lowers your air conditioning energy efficiency. Air conditioners have come a long way with energy efficiency due to technological progress and concern for the environment. Newer air conditioners are more efficient and easier to maintain. Your initial cost will be quickly offset by the reduction in monthly energy expenditure, and you won’t have to repair the new unit as often. Quality Heating’s air conditioning professionals will install an energy efficient air conditioning system in your home. We carry a wide assortment of high performance, energy efficient air conditioners and conduct expert installation. Undersized air conditioners won’t work on the hottest days, and may be energy inefficient. A properly selected and professionally installed air conditioning unit will keep your house cool without running 24/7. Larger air conditioners actually require less energy to cool the same amount of air. If your air conditioner is too large, the thermostat could turn it on and off quickly, which can damage air conditioning units as well as blast you with frigid air.

Consult a Quality Heating professional to size and install your new air conditioner. Quality Heating’s cooling specialists have the expertise to find the right air conditioning system for your home. We’ll help you choose an air conditioner from our extensive product list and install it the right way to keep your house cool throughout the summer. This sounds counter-intuitive, but leaving the fan on can decrease your overall power consumption. The fan uses less power than the condenser, so the longer you can keep the condenser off, the better. This is generally truer for dry weather than for humid weather. If you’re leaving the house for a while, especially if it’s for a few days, turn your thermostat up to 85 degrees as you’re going out the door. If you turn the air conditioner completely off you might melt something, but your possessions won’t be bothered by 85 degree heat. This is a great way to lower your energy bill without any real work. Call a Milwaukee area air conditioning contractor from Quality Heating and Sheet Metal at 262.786.4450 today to get your home ready for summer.