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You should plan to change your AC unit's filter every one to three months, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. You should also clean the coils at least once per year, but if you have pets or someone in your household has allergies, you might need to clean them more often. Fortunately, many pros will clean the coils and change the filter for you during an inspection, which you should schedule once or twice per year.

How often you change your air filter depends on your home and lifestyle. Things like how many people are in your home, pets, the season, the size of your home, the air quality where you live, and more all impact your HVAC system. The best practice is using visual indicators to determine when it needs changing by checking if light can pass through it. If you can’t see any light, it’s clogged and needs to be changed.

It’s not customary to tip HVAC technicians, and most professionals won’t expect it. However, it’s a nice way of showing your appreciation for the work they do, especially if they come out in inclement weather or on a weekend or holiday to fix an emergency issue if your heat or AC goes out in extreme temperatures. A good tip would be between 10% to 20% of the total bill, depending on how above and beyond the tech goes for your repair and on the total cost of your HVAC repair or service. For something like a routine tune-up or scheduled maintenance, tips aren’t expected.

While an air conditioner can temporarily run with a dirty filter, it is not recommended as it will not work efficiently. A dirty filter forces the system to work harder to circulate cool air, leading to reduced airflow, increased wear and tear, and higher energy bills. This added strain can cause the air conditioner to overheat or fail prematurely. Furthermore, a clogged filter may allow dust and dirt to accumulate in your ductwork, negatively impacting air quality. It is more cost-effective to clean or replace filters regularly than to pay higher utility bills and risk needing to replace the entire AC unit.