​Your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is the unsung hero of your home, keeping you comfortable year-round. But for it to work efficiently and maintain indoor air quality, you need to pay attention to a seemingly simple component: the HVAC filter. In this blog post, we'll explore how dirty your HVAC filter should be before you replace it to ensure optimal performance and air quality.
1. The Role of the HVAC Filter
Before diving into the dirtiness factor, let's understand the filter's role. The HVAC filter acts as a barrier, capturing airborne particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, and allergens. This not only keeps the air clean but also protects your HVAC system from debris that can damage it.
2. Visual Inspection
The most straightforward way to gauge when to replace your HVAC filter is through a visual inspection. Most filters are made of a paper or fiberglass material that starts off white or off-white. As dust and particles accumulate, the filter gradually darkens. You should replace the filter when it's visibly dirty.
3. The Dirty Truth
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to how dirty your HVAC filter should be before replacement because it depends on various factors:

• Filter Type: Different filter types have different lifespans. Basic fiberglass filters typically need replacing every 1 to 3 months, while high-efficiency filters can last up to 6 months or more.
  
• Allergies and Pets: If you have allergies or pets, you may need to replace the filter more frequently. Allergens and pet hair can clog filters faster.
  
• Usage: The more you use your HVAC system, the quicker the filter will accumulate dirt and need replacement. In regions with extreme weather, you may need to change it more often.
  
• Local Conditions: Environmental factors like dust, pollen levels, and air quality can impact how quickly the filter gets dirty. High pollen seasons may require more frequent changes.
  

4. Energy Efficiency
A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to circulate air. This reduced airflow not only leads to decreased energy efficiency but also puts additional strain on the system, potentially shortening its lifespan.
5. Indoor Air Quality
A clogged filter can negatively affect indoor air quality, especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues. Regular filter changes help maintain cleaner, healthier air in your home.
6. Preventive Maintenance
Rather than waiting for the filter to become excessively dirty, consider replacing it on a regular schedule. Set reminders to ensure that filter replacement becomes a routine part of home maintenance.
Conclusion
The state of your HVAC filter should guide your decision on when to replace it. A clean filter contributes to energy efficiency, better indoor air quality, and prolongs the life of your HVAC system. Regular visual inspections and consideration of factors like filter type, usage, and local conditions will help you determine the right replacement schedule. Remember, it's better to err on the side of caution and replace your filter a bit early than to wait until it's too dirty, as neglecting filter maintenance can lead to costly HVAC issues and compromised air quality.

​Every neighborhood is different, and how safe you feel where you live can be different depending on what part of town you live in. There are different things that you as a homeowner can do to feel safer, but it is important that this isn’t just a false sense of security but instead something that really works. Security cameras can definitely give you a sense of security, but it is important to remember that they will only be effective if the criminal knows they are there. If you can get some signs to let a potential burglar know they are being watched, that will discourage some from doing the deed. At the same time, you should avoid placing cameras in locations where they can be easily stolen.

With modern cameras, you should just need a method of supplying power to the camera for it to function. Since most cameras are wireless, you can mount them just about anywhere, and often they will come with the capability to provide you a live feed anywhere you have an internet connection.

​Have you ever heard of a p-trap? While the name may conjure up all sorts of different definitions, we can clear up any confusion by explaining how it works. Essentially, it’s a specifically designed bend between the horizontal and vertical piping under a sink drain or at the base of a toilet that looks like the shape of the letter P. Now that you’ve read that, you’re probably remembering that you’ve seen something like this a million times in your life.

But what does this thing do? Well, inside the deepest part of the bend lies a little bit of standing water. This water, along with the bend, helps to prevent sewer gas from traveling up into your home through the drain. It also gathers a small amount of debris from the water as it travels through the bend, helping to prevent clogs. These two effects are why it’s called a trap.

Perhaps you’ve started thinking about doing some home maintenance. It is good to take care of small jobs around your property as this is often the key to preventing the need for major repairs down the line.

One of the smaller tasks you can do is to regularly check and clean your bathroom extraction fan. While it doesn’t seem to be such an essential part of the home, many problems can arise if it is not working correctly. A bathroom fan is designed to extract moisture from the room which is very important when we consider that the bathroom is one of the most humid and moist rooms of the house.

For a bathroom extraction fan to function properly it needs to be attached to ductwork which reaches all the way to the home’s exterior. One problem that some properties have is that, instead of going outside of the home, the ductwork vents into the attic space. While you may not see a huge problem with this in your bathroom, it can create big problems for the attic by damaging materials and causing mold to grow.

If you notice that the bathroom fan is not working correctly it may be because it is clogged with dirt and dust. To prevent this, give it a good cleaning once a month. A fan that is not working as it can lead to moisture issues in the bathroom such as corroding metal fixtures, peeling or bubbling paint and excessive moisture on the bathroom’s ceiling and tile. So, it is clear to see how regular maintenance of even the smaller items in the home can lead to big savings later on.