Why You Should Change Your Furnace Filter

VACAVILLE — The most important thing you can do for your furnace and air conditioning system is change its air filter on a regular basis. A dirty air filter can cause a lot of problems, including the following:

• Shortened lifespan of crucial system components
• Restricted airflow through the ductwork, which reduces the effectiveness of heating/cooling
• The thermostat takes longer to be satisfied, which requires the heating/cooling unit to run longer
• Higher utility costs due to reduced system efficiency

As you can see, by changing your air filter regularly, you can avoid a lot of headaches and wasted money. But how often do you need to do this? In general, we recommend changing your air filter at least every three months. However, depending on your circumstances, you may need to do it more often. For example, many people in Northern California change their filters monthly during the summer because of how dusty and smoky it can get. Consult your local HVAC technician to get a recommendation on how often you should change your filter.