One Filter Habit That Saves Your AC and Your Wallet

By Ryan Dallas

Ryan Dallas is a central Illinois native who grew up immersed in the home building business and a culture of service.

If your energy bill has crept up this summer, your air conditioner is probably the reason. Across Central Illinois, units have been running almost nonstop to fight the heat and humidity, and the harder they work, the more it costs you. There are a few simple habits that can ease the strain, and none of them require calling anyone.

To get the details right, we asked Cody from Dogtown Heating, Air, and Plumbing what actually moves the needle.

Start with the filter, because it matters more than anything else. Cody held up a brand-new filter next to one that had been in a system for several months, and the difference was obvious. A clogged filter chokes off airflow, and Cody put it well: it’s like asking your system to breathe through a mask all day. It pulls harder, runs longer, and grinds on the internal parts of your furnace and AC, and you feel every bit of that in your monthly bill.

Watch how fast everyday life dirties them. A quality five-inch filter is built to last around six months, but your daily habits can cut that short. Pets and smoking are the usual suspects, but Cody flagged two that almost nobody thinks about: hairspray and candles. Both leave a sticky residue that grabs dust and debris, clogging the filter faster and forcing the whole system to work harder than it should.

Listen for the warning signs your system gives you. A healthy unit runs quietly and smoothly. When you start hearing it strain, a louder hum, a rattle or vibration, or a high whistling sound, that’s your cue to pay attention. Water pooling around the unit is another red flag, often a sign that the coil is dirty and backing up the drain. None of these fix themselves, and the sooner you address them, the less they’ll cost you down the road.

Give your system a break on the worst days. You don’t have to suffer through it at 78 degrees, but nudging the thermostat up a degree or two gives your unit room to keep pace with the humidity instead of fighting it. Cody suggests settling around 70 to 72, depending on how old your system is. It’s a minor change that spares your unit a lot of unnecessary work.

Put together, these small moves do two things at once: they lower your bills now and add years to a system you’d rather not replace before you have to.

When something does need a professional, you can reach Dogtown and other trusted home service providers right through our app, Kiey, so help is on hand the moment you need it. Download it if you haven’t already, and you’ll have it ready whenever you need it.

And whenever you’re thinking about buying or selling in Central Illinois, we’re always here for you. Call or text us at 217-351-4900, email us at homes@ryandallas.net, or visit ryandallasre.com.