Save Money with a Washable Air Filter

How often to you change the air filter in your air conditioner or furnace? The Health Journal Online notes that you should change your air filter as often as needed to keep it clean. If your air conditioner or furnace is running every day, you may need to change it as often as once a month.

Why Do You Need to Change the Air Filter?

The air filter in your air conditioner or furnace removes dust, allergens and other small particles from the air as it passes through your heating or air conditioning system. The dirt, dust, pollen and other debris accumulate in the folds of the air filter where bacteria can breed. A dirty air filter will reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner or heater, and can become a breeding ground for disease. Changing the air filter frequently reduces your energy bills, increases the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems and provides a healthier atmosphere.

Why Should You Choose A Reusable Air Filter?

While most homeowners use disposable air filters for their air conditioners and furnaces, a washable air filter can save you a considerable amount of money over time – and provide a number of other benefits. A washable air filter may be more expensive up front, but it’s a one-time expense. You’ll recoup the difference in cost between a reusable air filter and a disposable one within a few months.

In addition, a washable air filter is a greener choice than one you throw away. When you choose a reusable air filter for your air conditioner or furnace, you’ll be keeping dozens of air filters out of the waste stream over the course of time. You’ll also be using far fewer materials over the course of time – it takes a lot more natural resources to produce dozens of disposable filters than it takes to produce just one washable filter.

Finally, cleaning a reusable air filter is no more difficult than changing a disposable air filter. In most cases, you just take it out of the air conditioner or furnace unit, hose it down with clear water and put it back in place when it’s dry. Many homeowners choose to buy two reusable filters so they can always have a clean one handy when it’s time to change out the old one.