Derek Cole explains that even slightly gray filters still restrict airflow and need changing every three months, not the six to nine months box ratings suggest. Constant fan use speeds up filter loading. Running your fan on auto in humid climates helps protect your HVAC system and keeps indoor air quality up.
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Home and Life Comfort with Derek Cole. Hey, what's up, guys? Derek Cole here with Home and Life Comfort podcast where we talk about real solutions for your home's heating and air. No fluff, no gimmicks, just good solid advice. So let me tell you about a question I got recently from homeowner and just going to quote here, quote, Derek, we got a 4 inch name brand air filter and I run my fan constantly on low. After four months, the filters only light gray. My H VAC friends say I'm wasting money changing every three months. What do you think? End quote. Well, great question. Here's the deal. First off, if that filter is turning gray, even a little bit, even a little, it's working. That's a good thing. It's catching dust, pollen, and all the junk you just don't want floating around your house. But just because it doesn't look filthy doesn't mean it's not slowing down airflow. The filter. A filter doesn't have to be black or caked with dirt to cause problems. Resistance builds over time that can force your system to work harder than it should. And in this case, this person is running their HVC fan constantly, even on low speed, which means that filter is working 24. 7. Now, hopefully this homeowner is not in southeastern North Carolina because I would never recommend you run your fan speed. I would always keep it on auto. It is so humid in this part of the country. I, I would never recommend doing that. But in this case, he runs it on low all the time. So that means the filter is working 24. 7. That six to nine month rating on the box, that's under average conditions. Okay, let's be honest. No home is average, right? Do you have pets? Do you have allergies? Kids running in and out of the house? All the, all this, all this shortens the filter life. Even in a clean house. A constant fan use, a constant fan use in clean house is enough reason to bump up your filter change schedule. So what's my date? Stick with three months. Okay? Maybe stretch to the four. If airflow feels strong and it's not, you know, packed. But I wouldn't go much longer than that. A clean filter is a cheap insurance policy for your health and for the health of your HVC system and your indoor air. Bottom line, you're not wasting money. You're protecting your investment and breathing cleaner air. And that, my friend, is worth every penny. That's it for today, folks. If you got a question like this, send it my way. I love to cover it for a future episode of the podcast. But until next time, stay comfortable. Take care of your home. Your friend in comfort and energy savings Derrick Cole Home and Life Comfort with Derek Cole.
