4 air filter myths that you should really stop believing

Help your air con improve your home’s air quality

Many homeowners usually tend to hold onto common air filters myths without necessarily validating them. Whilst there is a lot of information going around on this topic, in reality, it isn’t all that accurate. Plus, minor mistakes may affect your air con lifespan, as well as your monthly energy bill. This week, we are going to bust those common filter myths and show you the truth behind them.

You probably heard a few things here and there about air filters and accepted them as the truth. However, there are plenty of unverified sources that can lead to misconceptions, thus we end up getting it all wrong. And since air filters are actually the ones responsible for your air quality at home, it is important to tell fact from fiction.

Why are air filters important anyway?

We all need to breathe clean air. And so do the air conditioners. Whilst air filters may be seen as ‘something that just blocks the airflow’, in reality, they protect the downstream equipment and the people living in the house.

For your peace of mind, we have compiled a list with popular air filter myths so we can set the record straight once and for all.

Myth 1: Air filters just keep dust off the equipment. FALSE!

Initially, air filters’ role was to simply ‘keep dust away’. This may have been the original reason they were created for but air filters have come a long way since then. Nowadays, depending on the air filter type, they remove everything from dust and debris to pet dander and bacteria from the air we breathe.

In other words, air filters successfully fight against indoor air pollution while improving your indoor air quality.

Myth 2: Regular air filter maintenance is really not that important. FALSE!

This is one of the most popular air filter myths out there. Very often, homeowners tend to underestimate the power of a good air filter maintenance. In some cases, they delay it or even forget about it due to lack of time or availability.

In reality, if you don’t clean or replace air filters on a regular basis, it will affect the overall performance of your air con unit. If it becomes clogged with large amounts of airborne particles, then it pushes the dust back into your indoor air. Dirty air filters also restrict air flow, putting the strain on your air conditioner, therefore increasing your energy bills.

Generally, you should clean your air filters every month in peak summer and winter season because of their intense usage. Whilst it may sound too much, the result is way more rewarding than you think. For the rest of the year, though, cleaning them at the beginning of each season can be enough.

Myth 3: Pet owners don’t necessarily need to clean filters more often. FALSE!

Together with the previous air filter myths, this one also gained some popularity around the web lately. People tend to believe there is a ‘recipe for success’ when it comes to air filters maintenance. But it actually varies from a household to another.

For example, if someone smokes inside, or if a family member has allergies, then you need to rethink your routine. This also applies to pet owners. No matter how much we love our furry friends, it’s important to realize that hair and dander can build up quickly and eventually reduce the filter efficiency. In this case, you may need to change it up to twice as often, especially if you have multiple long-haired breeds.

Remember that a clean air filter can also decrease wasted energy by up to 15 percent!

Myth 4: All air filters are the same. FALSE!

In theory, all air filters serve the same purpose, so it doesn’t really matter what features they have. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There’s actually no ‘one size fits all’ air filter. In fact, you can find different filter types and sizes on the market today. Plus, another important thing to look at is the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. The higher it is on the MERV scale, the more particles it will filter out. In other words, this number tells you the effectiveness of your air filter.

What other air filter myths do you know?

As you can see, there are quite a few myths floating around about air con filters. Whatever piece of information you may have read or heard recently, remember to always check if it is true. You can always ask your local qualified technician’s opinion for added comfort and peace of mind.

So why wait? Call Jaric Air Conditioning today at 1300 452 742 and get personalised advice for your air conditioning system.

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