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We filter the water we drink, so it makes sense that we should be filtering the air we breathe as well. One way this can be accomplished in commercial settings is to regularly change your HVAC filter. Many common problems with air ventilation can result from a clogged filter, so knowing how to change your commercial HVAC filter will allow you to deal with some of the most common HVAC issues yourself. Knowing how to change the filters in a commercial HVAC unit is a skill that can save you time and money (no need to hire and wait for an HVAC specialist).
The length of time that your air filter will last depends on various environmental factors. If the air outside is heavily polluted with contaminants, your HVAC filter will need to be changed more frequently to preserve the quality of indoor air.
Many HVAC systems have maintenance sensors that indicate when a filter change is needed; however, it’s still best to change the filter when the dust and debris accumulation gets too thick. One filthy air filter is all it takes to reduce the airflow inside a building and cause an HVAC system to overwork itself, leading to higher energy bills.
In most cases, commercial HVAC air filters should be changed quarterly, though it's best to note the change intervals as recommended by the filter manufacturer, so check the packaging on your filter. If filters are left in a system beyond the manufacturer’s recommendation they can become dirty and clogged. Regular monthly checks of your filter are encouraged, as seasonality, environmental impacts like wildfires, and even things like construction in the building can impact how much your filter is, well, filtering.
Dirty or clogged filters can cause a number of issues, including water damage, or damage to air-conditioning compressors or heat pumps. This occurs because there isn’t as much air flowing over the evaporator coils and the coolant builds up within them, causing freezing of evaporator coils, which can require major HVAC system repairs. Additionally, air filters prevent the build-up of dirt in the ducts, and periodic duct cleaning can be expensive.
Not only do clogged filters prevent a building from cooling properly, but they also prevent it from heating properly, too. Since clogged filters restrict the amount of air that can flow through ducts, the heat within the heat exchanger just continues to mount. This can result in severely reduced energy efficiency and may even cause the system to shut down because of temperature build-up in the heat exchanger, a universal safety feature on all heating units.
Some poorly designed industrial filters can even unload particles if they are not changed in time, exposing the occupants of a building to an increased number of particles from air pollution, which can create serious health problems after long periods of exposure.
Always follow manufacturer directions on your HVAC unit for changing out your filter(s). Most units follow the steps below:
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