Dirty air filters cause 40% of all HVAC service calls:
How dirty filters damage systems:
Restrict airflow, making system work harder
Cause evaporator coil to freeze
Overheat blower motor, leading to failure
Reduce efficiency by 20-30%
Spread dust and allergens instead of filtering them
Filter change schedule:
Standard 1-inch filters: Every 30 days
4-inch pleated filters: Every 3-4 months
With pets: Every 30 days regardless of filter type
During renovation: Weekly during construction
Cost comparison:
New filter: $8-15
Frozen coil service call: $300-500
Blower motor replacement: $450-750
New system (premature failure): $6,000-12,000
Set a phone reminder. This simple task prevents most breakdowns.