We all have to-do lists. Some of us may be more organized than others by using a digital task management tool, while others may have notes scratched on post-its scattered on a desk. As new things come to mind, another post-it gets added… and so begins the overwhelming sense you have too much to do.
The last thing that probably crosses a facility owner or property manager’s mind is the building’s air filters, such as when was the last time they were even changed? This type of maintenance task may be difficult to remember because of its “behind-the-scenes” nature. In other words, air filters aren’t in plain sight for employees nor customers, which means they can be easier to overlook or put off compared to maintenance tasks such as carpet cleaning or janitorial supplies in restrooms.
But dirty air filters that have been neglected for several months could be setting you up for major headaches in the future.
WATCH: What Happens When a Furnace Filter Wasn’t Changed After Only 5 Months
“The basic idea behind an air filter is that it is designed to trap tiny particles that blow in from the outside air that comes into a house or commercial facility,” said one expert. “But when that air filter is clogged with dust and particles, it forces the entire heating and air conditioning system to work harder to circulate air, and it also blows dirty air throughout a space. Therefore, understanding when it’s time to change air filters is of vital important in the quest for clean indoor air.”
How Do Air Filters Really Work?
3 Reasons It’s Crucial to Change Your Facility’s Air Filters
As hidden as air filters are, they play an important role by catching dust, mold, fabric fibers, and even fungal spores from entering the rooms of your facility. But there are more urgent reasons to make sure the filters in your facility are frequently changed:
- Your building’s HVAC system may go into overdrive as it tries to push air out through a dirty filter. A major key to this being a problem is the energy bill will be much higher than it used to be. Even worse, the extra work will wear out your HVAC unit faster.
- A dirty filter creates extra layers for mold or bacteria to grow on. If the filters aren’t changed for an extended period of time, the mold or bacteria can begin to release more pollutants and allergens in the building. And the last thing you want is for those spores to blow their way into your HVAC system.
- Your facility’s temperature and air quality could be affected differently in certain areas. If you’ve noticed areas in your facility warmer or colder than other areas, your air ducts could be getting clogged due to air filters not being able to move air through them, which will cost you more to have cleaned than simply changing filters regularly.
READ: What’s Living Inside Your Building’s Air Ducts?
Do you need help figuring out if it’s time to change your facility’s filters? Or would you like us to keep track, so you don’t have to? With 20+ maintenance solutions we can schedule for you, filter changing is one of the many things we can help take off your plate so you have time to get back to doing what you do best – your job.
Contact City Wide today by using the form to the right to find out how we can help save time and solve problems at your facility.
