Leonard Splaine Why are larger filters important for new and modern units

Air filter, how important are they really? The short answer: VERY! It may seem like a hassle to change your HVAC filter every 30 days, but every time you change your filter, you’re doing yourself and your system a favor. Understanding how air filters work and what they do for you could take some of the stings out of climbing into your attic once a month to switch out this unseen hero.

The air filter in your home’s furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump is an important but often overlooked component of the HVAC system. Though they may seem like nothing more than large cardboard boxes full of fibers or pleated material, air filters actually affect several crucial areas of indoor comfort and HVAC equipment performance.  Let’s quickly talk about the functions of air filters.

Functions of Air Filters

Air filters live up to their name. They filter your air. They don’t just keep dust and pollen out, they are also tasked with keeping larger particles out of your HVAC system and saving them from damage. Dirty, unchanged filters are a leading cause of issues with your HVAC system.

1. They prevent future breakdowns 

Getting a yearly furnace tune-up is the easiest way to prevent breakdowns in the future. Every winter, we receive many emergency calls that could have been prevented with routine regular maintenance. Tune-ups can differ depending on who you hire, but the majority of them consist of cleaning your system, lubricating the parts, and making sure the connections are correct. Technicians also keep an eye out for any problems that need to be addressed, such as cracked heat exchangers or weak pilot lights. By getting yearly maintenance, you won’t have to worry about dirty gas valves, loose connections, or malfunctioning parts causing your heat to go out on the coldest night of the year.
The natural buildup of dust, dirt, and debris in your furnace causes the unit to work harder than it should in order to heat your home to the desired temperature. If you don’t get yearly tune-ups, the strain on your furnace can shorten the lifetime of your unit. As with any technology, the harder the parts in your unit have to work, the shorter they are going to last.

2. Improves Energy Efficiency

Our furnace tune-up includes the cleaning and inspection of the furnace burner and heat exchanger, checking and managing all of the electrical connections, cleaning the system, and fans inside and out, making sure all connections are secure, cleaning, and clearing the motor, replacing fuel nozzles and filters. In addition to ensuring safe operation, all these will ensure that your furnace operates at its top efficiency, resulting in lower heating costs.

3. Maintains Manufacturer’s Warranty

Warranty agreements vary depending on the furnace manufacturer, but most furnace warranties require the unit to be installed and maintained by a licensed HVAC service provider.

Getting a yearly furnace tune-up is an easy way to ensure you are in compliance with your warranty while keeping your furnace in tip-top shape. Make sure to keep documentation of your furnace tune-ups, as many manufacturers ask for proof of maintenance when you’re dealing with your warranty.

Skipping your yearly tune-ups will only cause pain down the road when you’re dealing with repairs or replacements.

4. Prevent carbon monoxide leaks

Although furnaces have systems in place to protect homeowners from carbon monoxide and other gasses, leaks can still develop. The most common cause of furnace-related carbon monoxide leaks is a cracked heat exchanger or the set of coils within your furnace that create the hot air that heats your home. Heat exchangers typically crack when the coils are overstressed from working too hard, which can happen because of dirty air filters or improperly-sized HVAC systems.

Our HVAC technicians are trained to look for cracked heat exchangers during furnace tune-ups, and they are also able to notice any other problems that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks. This would also help to reduce the extent of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Leonardsplaine furnace and heat pump tune-up inspection include:

• Lubricate blower & bearings
• Change filters
• Check fan speed
• Turn off humidifier/close damper
• Check condensate drain
• Check blower rotation
• Check amp draw of motor
• Check thermostat
• Check & clean condenser
• Check operating pressure
• Check ambient temperature
• Check suction line temperature
• Check refrigerant charge
• Check all safety controls
• Check contactors & relays
• Check start & run capacitors
• Check all wiring connections
• Check compressor
• Check condenser fan motor
• Check rain shield
• Check temperature drop across the coil

For greater peace of mind and confidence, book a maintenance service appointment with us. We provide annual furnace and heat pump tune-ups to ensure your entire HVAC system is running at peak efficiency.