Despite nearly everyone knowing about furnace filters, they remain one of the most neglected furnace maintenance tasks. One of the problems is simply remembering how often they need changing, and the last time you did it. To help solve the conundrum, here is some information on how frequently you should change your furnace filter.

The Short Answer

The overly simplified, really short answer is every 90 days. However, the full answer is a little more complex as there are several factors that affect this frequency. The first factor is your furnace filter’s thickness. The 90-day recommendation is for 1- and 2-inch filters. If you have a thicker model, the filter life extends.

For 3- and 4-inch filters, plan for a replacement about every six to nine months. If you have the larger 5- or 6-inch filters, they will need replacing every nine to 12 months.

Why Changing Your Filter is Important

You may be questioning why it’s so important to change your filter, and why this gets so much attention in the HVAC industry. To understand this, you have to understand the basics of how your system works.

To heat your home, your system must be able to draw air in and then push it back out. Without this air circulating, your system will produce heat, but it’ll stay contained in the furnace and never heat your home.

Your filter is at the beginning of the process, filtering contaminants out of the air before they enter the furnace. This protects the internal components from collecting a large number of contaminants, which can damage the system and reduce its service life.

Considering Your Air Quality

Another critical consideration is your air quality, which is affected by how many contaminants are floating around in your air. The worse the air quality, the more quickly your air filters will clog and need changing.

Things that lower air quality are pets, improperly managed humidity, and the season. You may experience worse air quality in the winter when the air is naturally drier. While spring may have more contaminants outside, those particles have to make their way into your house. Winter, on the other hand, creates more contaminants inside if you don’t properly humidify your home.

That means that your filter is more likely to clog up sooner over the cooler months. Instead of assuming how often you need to change your filter, just check it monthly. This builds in a frequent routine, so it’s easier to remember. It also ensures that you replace your filter as soon as it’s dirty enough to cause an airflow restriction. While checking it, gently vacuum off the intake side of the filter to help extend its life and improve efficiency between changes.

Properly Sizing Your Furnace Filter

It’s important to get the right size filter to fit your furnace. There are three dimensions you need to fit properly.

First, you want to match the length and width of the filter. If the filter is too big, it simply won’t fit. If it’s too small, it’ll allow unfiltered air to flow past it.

Then there’s the filter’s thickness, which indicates the amount of filtering material. Despite what may seem like room to fit a thicker filter in your furnace, it’s important to use the manufacturer’s recommendation. Using a filter that’s thicker than recommended may restrict the amount of air flowing through your system, causing too much strain and reduced efficiency.

Signs You Have a Clogged Filter

If you forget to change your furnace filter, your system may give you some signs that it’s clogged and needs replacing. First, you may notice your system is not pushing out as much air as normal. You may also notice your home doesn’t feel as warm as it should for the temperature setting.

Additionally, your furnace may run longer cycles than normal, which should be about 10 to 15 minutes. This happens when your system can’t produce or circulate enough heat. You may also notice more dust around your home than normal.

People around Franklin rely on Dugan Air Heating Cooling for reliable heating and air conditioning service. Our team specializes in the installation, maintenance, and repair of a large range of heating and air conditioning systems. We also provide indoor air quality services. Call to schedule a maintenance or repair appointment with one of our NATE-certified technicians to keep your furnace running strong all winter.

Many homeowners use furnaces to keep their homes warm during the cold winter months by heating the indoor air. During the summer season, these heating units assist in circulating conditioned air from the cooling system. A furnace is a perfect option if you require constant air circulation to keep your house warm and comfortable.

While a furnace is a reliable way to heat your home, it can become hazardous if you are not careful. Furnace maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure that your appliance is operating correctly and safely. To protect your family and your home, follow the furnace safety tips and tricks discussed below.

1. Test the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Some furnace issues can cause fire hazards. Carbon monoxide leaks are also among the most common threats that malfunctioning furnaces can pose to homes. Accidents can happen. However, you can easily keep your household safe by preparing adequately for these potential problems. With that in mind, ensure you replace batteries on fire and carbon monoxide alarms at least once every year. Schedule this maintenance at the onset of the winter season because the alarms will warn you of any furnace glitches.

You can place the two alarms in the same room as your furnace and test them so you are certain they’ll warn you of carbon monoxide poisoning or fire. To enhance your home’s safety when using a furnace, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of your home.

2. Change the Filters

It is crucial to change your filters regularly. Clean filters help your furnace work with great efficiency and to prevent dust circulation in your home. A dirty filter can cause many avoidable problems, including efficiency and safety issues. It can also lead to performance problems that can result in furnace failure or breakdown. Change the filters at least once every one to three months in the winter when you mostly use the furnace. However, if you use the furnace more often or if you keep pets, you might need to change the filters more often.

3. Clear the Area Around the Furnace

Keeping the area around the furnace clear can help you reduce the chances of fire hazards. Your furnace requires fresh air to function properly. If the unit doesn’t get adequate air, it might suck up oxygen in your house, endangering your entire family household.

Moreover, anything blocking airflow may also cause your furnace to heat your home unevenly. As a result, your furnace will work extra harder and will increase your utility bills. You can open floor registers and clear all obstructions to keep the heat evenly spread throughout your living space while boosting your furnace’s efficiency.

4. Keep Flammable Items Away

Keep any items or products that can catch fire away from the heat generated by your furnace. Some homeowners utilize their furnace space for laundry or storage. If your furnace chamber has more than one purpose, ensure that you keep this space well-organized. Any item or product left near the heating appliance becomes a safety hazard.

If you normally use your furnace space as a laundry area, avoid hanging your clothes near the furnace. Also, keep all your cleaning products in airtight containers. That’s because ammonia fumes can corrode the heat exchanger of your furnace. It would be best if you kept the area around your heating equipment clear for safety and efficiency.

5. Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

An annual furnace inspection and maintenance is important to ensure your unit works properly, safely, and efficiently. During the inspection, your licensed technician will check your unit for other potential problems, such as carbon monoxide leaks, and any other issue that could lead to safety hazards.

6. Hire Professionals to Perform Furnace Repairs

If you encounter a problem with your furnace before the maintenance period, don’t try to solve the issue yourself, regardless of how handy you are. Allow your heating expert to give you a professional opinion and to make the necessary repairs despite how simple the problem may seem. That’s because one small mistake can lead to a fire or to carbon monoxide buildup in your home.

Partner With the Heating Experts Today

Follow the six tips above to provide your household with a warm and safe environment during the entire heating season. These actions will also make you feel at ease knowing you have a safe and efficient furnace during the winter season. If you notice uneven heating in your home or if you feel something is wrong with your heating equipment, contact the professionals at Dugan Heating Cooling. These technicians will inspect your unit, identify all the problems, and make the needed repairs to keep your house warm and safe.

We also offer cooling, air quality, HVAC support, smart thermostats, and new construction services to the residents of Franklin, IN. Contact us now for any of the above services or to book an appointment online.

While your AC unit might be performing the way you expect it to, there are always ways to improve its operational efficiency. Not only does this lead to better temperature control indoors, but it also results in lower electricity bills. Here are four ways you can make the best use of your AC unit.

1. Minimize Gaps Where Air Can Escape

If you’re running your AC, make sure all windows and doors to unused rooms are closed. Cool air will escape to the outside through these gaps and, at the same time, hot air from the outside will flood your home. This results in your AC having to work harder to regulate temperatures. Aside from keeping windows and doors closed, you should also seal slits off with tape.

2. Use Your Thermostat Correctly

Constantly adjusting your thermostat forces your AC to run longer than it needs to. This can lead to more frequent on-off cycles. Set your thermostat to the recommended 78-degree temperature and forget about it. You can also program your AC thermostat to switch on before you get home from work or school and shut down automatically when no one’s home.

3. Change Your AC Filter

Obstructed airflow leads to operational inefficiency. A clogged filter not only reduces airflow and increases the workload for your AC, but it also leads to lower indoor air quality. Change your filters at least every two months or clean them regularly with a vacuum or soft brush. In addition to the filter, the condenser fins should also be cleared of any dirt and debris.

4. Get Preventative Maintenance

It might cost money, but it’s far cheaper to have preventative maintenance done to your AC unit than it is to repair or replace parts once your AC starts to malfunction. Hire an experienced, certified, and insured HVAC technician, like Dugan Air Heating & Cooling, to perform a comprehensive assessment of your AC unit.

Contact Us Today

At Dugan Air Heating & Cooling, we have been serving Franklin, IN, and the surrounding neighborhoods for many years now. Aside from preventative maintenance, we also offer indoor air quality checks and upgrades, mini-split system work, and thermostat installation. Contact us today for more information!

A clean air conditioner will work more efficiently and last longer, saving you money. A professional HVAC maintenance plan will ensure proper cleaning of your AC unit before the weather gets warm, but you can benefit from learning the process yourself. This guide will show you how to clean an air conditioning system.

Getting Started

Cleaning an air conditioner involves cleaning around the unit, cleaning the condenser coils, cleaning the filter, and cleaning the ducts. There are some simple steps to follow when cleaning your AC unit.

1. Gather Supplies

First, you need to collect the necessary supplies to get the job done. Supplies include:

• Coil cleaner
• Lubricant
• Hose
• Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment

2. Get Ready to Work

Next, you need to prepare yourself. Put on work clothes, gloves, goggles, and comfortable shoes. You want to ensure that you give yourself plenty of time to do a thorough job.

3. Turn Off Power to the AC System and Thermostat

You need to turn off power to your cooling system to prevent the risk of electric shock. In addition to all breakers connected to your air conditioner, be sure to disconnect the power to your thermostat as well.

Cleaning Outside

The two main tasks when cleaning the outside unit are clearing away any organic blockages and cleaning the condenser coils. First, you need to remove any leaves or debris in and around your outside unit and trim nearby plants to minimize the risk of a future blockage.

Next, you need to clean the outside unit itself. Apply the cleanser to the coils using a spray bottle and allow it to work for five minutes. You will then spray the cleanser off with the hose, avoiding soaking the motor. Wear gloves, and do not use the oil cleanser on your indoor unit since it contains dangerous fumes.

Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum to clean the fins. Over time, fins can get slightly distorted and reduce airflow. If any fins are bent, now is the time to straighten them.

Cleaning Inside

You now need to point your attention to the inside unit to clean the evaporator coils and filter. Evaporator coils soak up the heat and moisture and send it to the condenser coils to be removed. The filter collects dust in the air to improve the air quality.

You’ll need to open the access panel to the indoor unit with a screwdriver to expose the evaporator coils. You can clean the evaporator coils using a number of methods, including:

• Vacuum with a soft brush attachment
• Compressed air
• Soap and water
• Chemical-free cleansers

You also need to clean the filter. You’ll remove the filter, which is now accessible from the open access panel, and use the same cleaning techniques you used on the evaporator coils, or you can soak it in water. After you finish cleaning both the evaporator coils and the filter, dry everything completely and reattach the access panel.

Cleaning the Ducts

Cleaning the ducts ensures proper airflow to every part of your house. Turn on your fan to make it easier to clean the dust away from the ducts. Lift the supply registers, and then unscrew the return air registers to remove the dust with a broom or duster with a long handle. Next, you’ll turn off the fan and ensure you turned off the power to the AC unit. Remove the air duct covers with a screwdriver and clean them. Finally, use a vacuum to clean the air ducts.

Test the Results

At this point, the air conditioner is clean. Now, you need to restore power to the system and ensure it works properly. Check your bill the next month to see if you notice any savings on your energy costs. If things didn’t work as planned, you should call for professional HVAC service.

Professional AC Cleaning

Cleaning an air conditioner requires an extensive understanding of your unit and access to the proper tools. To ensure the job gets done right, it’s best to schedule an appointment with Dugan Air.

We have over 14 years of experience providing heating and cooling services in the Franklin area. In addition to offering AC cleaning and maintenance, our team is available to assist with heating and cooling repairs and installations. Call Dugan Air today to set up an appointment or learn more about our services.

If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner, chances are that you’re a bit overwhelmed by all of the possibilities. It’s a good thing that customers have options, but at Dugan Air Heating Cooling, we certainly understand when people seek out our help. If you’re looking for a quick overview that sheds light on what size air conditioner you’d need, you’ll hopefully find the information below helpful.

The Importance of BTUs

BTUs are used to refer to an air conditioner’s ability to remove heat from a space. BTU stands for British thermal unit, and referring to BTUs allows us to standardize the effectiveness of various ACs. Some recommendations are that a 1,000 square-foot home needs an 18,000-BTU unit. A 2,000-square-foot home may need at least a 30,000-BTU unit.

If you’ve heard of tonnage when it comes to AC units, that’s a reference to the history of air conditioners. Before we used modern appliances, we used ice to keep homes cool. The ice would melt as it absorbed heat from the home. Melting a ton of ice was calculated to require about 12,000 BTUs. Therefore, a 1-ton AC unit has 12,000 BTUs.

Of course, there are many factors to consider when buying an AC unit. Those factors include:

• Climate in the region
• Amount of shade on the home
• Number of windows
• Quality of insulation
• Number of people using the space

Rely on Professionals

At Dugan Air Heating Cooling, we’re available to work with residents in the Franklin area, and the surrounding communities, on air conditioner installations. We’ve been in the industry for 14 years and work with various makes and models. We’d be happy to come to your home and do an assessment so that we can set you up with the right model. We’ll be mindful of your budget and energy-efficiency preferences, and we can answer any questions you may have. We offer heating, cooling, indoor air quality and construction services. Call us today for more information.

When the weather starts getting warm in Franklin, you depend on your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. However, when it stops working, do you know which parts could be causing the problem and what sort of repair may be required? Here are the major components of any air conditioning system and what you can expect if they are damaged.

Air Conditioning 101

First, it is helpful to understand the basics of how your air conditioner works. While there is cold air that comes from the vents, it actually transfers heat.

As the refrigerant runs through the system inside, it absorbs heat from the air and transfers that heat to the air outside. Once it does, it cools down dramatically in order to absorb more heat and continue the cycle.

To help with the transfer of heat, the unit works on a pressure system. When you increase pressure, you increase heat. Likewise, if you drop the pressure of the refrigerant, you drop the temperature. This pressure is regulated by the compressor outside and a small expansion valve inside.

Circulating Fan

The circulating fan is what makes the air flow through your system. It actually starts by drawing in air through the intake vent and through the air filters and evaporator coil. It then pushes the air back out into your house once it is cooled.

This particular fan runs with both your air conditioner and furnace, so it experiences a lot of wear. To keep it working properly, it should be serviced during regular maintenance visits. This includes cleaning it to eliminate residual air contaminants, lubricating the motor bearings, and balancing the fan wheel.

If the motor wears out, it can be switched out without having to replace the entire system. However, it is included when most furnace units are replaced.

Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is inside, usually near the air handler or furnace. This is the coil the refrigerant runs through once the pressure is dropped and the refrigerant is cooled. Like the circulating fan, this should be cleaned as part of regular maintenance.

The evaporator coil is relatively fragile, so cleaning must be done cautiously to avoid any damage. If something does happen to the evaporator coil, it likely means replacing it. While you can replace just the coil, there are many instances where you are better off upgrading the entire system. If your air conditioner was manufactured before 2010, then you may still have the old R22 refrigerant. This is no longer being produced and is becoming prohibitively expensive to service.

Compressor

Outside your home is the condensing unit. The first component the refrigerant encounters is the compressor. This part increases the refrigerant’s pressure, making it easier to transfer the heat to the outside air.

The compressor can be damaged, especially if there is a small refrigerant leak and not enough in the system. Signs the compressor is bad are a lack of cold air, low airflow through the system, or growling or humming noises coming from your condensing unit.

If your compressor breaks down, you will have to replace it rather than try to repair it. This component can be replaced on its own or as part of a larger replacement project. Work with your installer to evaluate the condition of your appliance and determine what would be the most cost-effective in both the short and long term.

Condensing Coil and Fan

After the refrigerant is pressurized by the compressor, it moves into the condensing coils. It is from these coils that the heat is transferred to the outside air. The condensing fan draws outside air through the condensing coils and then vents it out through the top of the unit.

If the condensing coils are damaged, you are likely better off replacing at least the condensing unit, if not the entire AC system. The cost of replacing just the coils is relatively high due to the sheer amount of work it requires. Replacing a bundled part of the unit ends up being more cost-effective and saves you from immediate repairs.

Does your cooling system need some help? Dugan Air Heating and Cooling has provided air conditioners around Franklin with exceptional care for over 14 years. We also offer competitive AC replacement and installation, along with heating installation, maintenance, and repair. Give us a call to schedule air conditioner maintenance or repair today.