When we think about air quality, we often think about the air outside. For example, we tend to notice how cars, garbage and cigarette smoke (just to name a few) pollute the air and affect our health. However, pollution in our homes seems to be less of a thought for many people, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor concentrations. This means that indoor air quality should be a priority for all homeowners! If you don’t know when your last air filter replacement was, then keep reading, because the indoor air quality professionals at Clay’s Climate Control are here with the reasons why not changing your air filter is damaging your health AND your bank account.
Bad Indoor Air Quality Can Lead to Bad Health Issues
Air filters are made up of spun fiberglass which enables them to prevent pollutants from circulating into the air. Overtime, this material becomes full of everything they’re keeping out of your air (animal hair, bacteria, dust, hair, lint, pollen, etc.). When an air filter isn’t replaced often enough, they’re no longer effective, which means your indoor air quality is impacted. If this happens, you or people in your home may start to experience the following:
- Asthma
- Breathing issues
- Congestion
- Eye issues
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Sore throat
To avoid this, follow this quick and easy guide for how often an air filter replacement should occur:
- Every 20 to 45 days: If your home has multiple pets or someone in your home has asthma
- Every 60 days: If your home has one pet
- Every 90 days: If your home has no pets
- Ever 6 to 12 months: If your home is a single-occupant home and you have no pets (common for vacation homes)
For an additional layer of protection against harmful air pollutants, you may want to consider purchasing an air scrubber.
More Indoor Air Pollution Means Less HVAC Efficiency
Air filters that haven’t been replaced frequently enough don’t just wreak havoc on your health — they can also wreak havoc on your wallet! Dirty air filters clog your HVAC system, preventing warm and cool air from coming out consistently. Unfortunately, the go-to move is usually to crank up the heating or air conditioning — not replace the air filters — which means you won’t see these effects until you get your (abnormally high) utility bill! To keep your HVAC system (and your bank account) from having to work harder, replace your air filters rather thank changing that dial on your thermostat.
Now that you know how not changing your air filter is damaging your health and bank account, let the experts at Clay’s Climate Control help! Whether you’re interested in a new HVAC system or purchasing an air scrubber, we’re here to assist you in any way we can. Contact us today!
