With advancements in heating and cooling equipment making our homes more comfortable, it is estimated that Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors. As a result, indoor air quality has become a hot topic.

Air filters are a part of the answer to maintaining good air quality. As home construction has reduced energy utilization and moisture damage, this also resulted in a decrease in air that can escape from a home. Natural air flow in a home is accomplished through ventilation, and because natural ventilation, created by open doors and windows, is decreased due to home construction practices, ventilation systems within the home are extremely important.

Air becomes suspect through things like pet dander, household cleaners, dust, and so forth, and these can aggravate and even instigate problems with allergies or asthma. Air filters work to screen out these suspects, trapping them inside the filter itself.

As dirt builds up within air filters, it creates a barrier and can cause heating or cooling equipment to work harder. Motors work overtime to filter dirt; buildup is deposited on coils; and the unit itself can break down as a result. Not only does energy output increase, but your energy bill as well.

Consequently, it’s important to check your filters on a regular basis. Most experts recommend doing this monthly.

When checking filters, take note of what a clean filter looks like: it is pure white with no blemishes. A dirty filter will look dingy, with a gray or brownish colour. You might see a fine layer of dust particles. With a new filter in hand, a comparison between a new and used filter will allow you to see the difference.

To ensure that your home’s indoor air quality is good, include checking filters monthly, and changing them when necessary, as part of the regular maintenance regimen for your home’s heating and cooling equipment. Clean air filters contribute greatly to healthy indoor air quality.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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