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Hey there, folks! Marv here, and today we’re going to talk about the importance of changing your HVAC filter on a monthly basis. I know, I know, it sounds boring, but trust me, it’s worth sticking around for. And don’t worry, I’ll keep things light and breezy, because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good laugh? So, let’s start with the basics. What is an HVAC filter, you ask? Well, it’s that thing that looks like a glorified window screen that’s stuck in your air conditioning or heating system. Most people think its job is to catch all the dust, dirt, and other particles floating around in your home’s air supply, so they don’t end up clogging up your system and causing problems. It’s not. The filters simple function is to keep your coil in the air handler clean. Yep…that’s it. Now, you might be thinking, “Uh, changing my filter once in a blue moon is good enough, right?” Wrong. Let me tell you, neglecting to change your filter regularly is like going to the dentist once every ten years and expecting to have a perfect smile. It’s just not gonna happen. And trust me, I know a good smile…have you seen these pearly whites? I know all about maintenance, teeth, and heating and air!

1. 1. Your HVAC system is going to have to work harder and will struggle to keep up with your set cooling temperature. Let’s talk about what happens when you don’t change your filter. First of all, your system is going to have to work a lot harder to push air through all that gunk. That means your energy bill is going to skyrocket, and you’ll probably notice that your house isn’t as cool or warm as you want it to be. In other words, you’re going to end up running it constantly adding wear and tear to it faster for less comfort. No one wants that.
   2. You will spend more money on costly repairsNow, if you’re thinking, “Well, I’ll just wait until my system breaks down to call for central heating repair or ac repair,” let me stop you right there. Not only is the HVAC filter the unsung hero of your heating and air conditioning system. If you neglect it bad things happen. Let me paint you a picture. It’s the middle of summer, and the sun is beating down on your home. You finally decide to turn on your AC, but something’s not quite right. The air is weak, and it doesn’t seem to be cooling your home down. You check your thermostat, and everything seems to be in order. What gives? You search AC companies near me, call one and they send out a technician to take a look. He pokes around for a bit and comes back with some bad news. Your HVAC filter is clogged, and it’s causing your AC to work harder than it needs to, as mentioned above. This puts a strain on your system, leading to costly AC repairs and possibly even central heating repair. All because you didn’t bother to change your HVAC filter monthly. Imagine paying over $100 (If you’re lucky and no serious damage was caused.) to a company to change out a $5 filter. Ouch…
   3. You will have lower energy bills. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But Marv, I’m not made of money! I can’t afford to change my HVAC filter monthly!” Well, my dear homeowner, I’m here to tell you that changing your HVAC filter monthly is actually a money-saver in the long run. When your HVAC system has to work harder than it needs to, it uses more energy. This means higher utility bills for you. By changing your HVAC filter monthly, you’re ensuring that your system is running at peak efficiency, which can save you up to 15% on your energy bills. That’s money back in your pocket! Also, who wants to overpay the power company!? I think we can all agree, we pay them enough!
   4. Clogged filters breed bacteria. When your filter is clogged up, it’s also a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other nasty stuff. And when that stuff starts circulating through your home, you and your family are at risk for all kinds of health problems, from allergies to respiratory issues. I mean, if you’re looking to make a trip to the local doctor or ac repair company, neglecting to change your filter might just do the trick!
   5. It’s really simple to do!You can take a crack at it yourself, it’s actually pretty simple. First, you’ll want to find your filter. It’s usually located near your system’s blower, or in a return air vent. Then, just slide out the old filter, and slide in the new one. That’s it! You’re done! See, I told you it was easy. And now you can pat yourself on the back for being a DIY home ac maintenance superstar.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But Marv, I don’t know the first thing about changing my filter! And I don’t have time to learn!” Don’t worry, my friend. Obviously you can call my favorite Comfort Guardians at World’s Greatest Heating and Air, duh. But also, you can just get out your phone and search ac companies near me. HVAC technicians are the pros, and they can take care of everything for you. Just pick up the phone, give us a call, and sit back while we do all the work. It’s like having a personal air conditioning butler, and who doesn’t want that? We’ll even offer special pricing to feed you grapes! So, now that I’ve convinced you that changing your filter is important, let’s talk about how often you should do it. The short answer is once a month. Yup, you heard me right. Once a month. I know most filters say “Up to 90 Days!” but that is not based on our area’s operation times. That is for somewhere snowy. That is not for people running air conditioning in Jacksonville Florida or St. Augustine Florida.  I mean, sure, you could probably get away with changing it every other month, but why risk it? Do you really want to roll the dice with your comfort and health? I didn’t think so. So don’t wait before it’s too late! If you wait too long the clogged ac filter will be a headache to change yourself! You’ll take out the old one and it will produce a mini dust-storm of allergens and absolute chaos. You’ll be kicking yourself in the rear for not doing it sooner. Trust us on this. Stay cool, Marv