Do Smart Air Filters Save You Money?
Last edited
Author
Andrew Giermak
Solar and Electrification Writer and Editor
Editor
Andrew Blok
Electrification and Solar Writer and Editor
Changing your HVAC’s air filters on a perfect schedule isn’t a high priority in your busy life? You don’t have to remember when it’s time, or way past time, to change them anymore. Smart air filters send that information directly to your phone.
Dirty filters waste energy and money, and add harmful stress to your heating and cooling system.
Smart air filters use built-in sensors to monitor real-time performance and Wi-Fi connectivity to alert you when they need replacing. That can save you money, reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system, and leave you breathing cleaner air.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Smart Air Filters Explained
A smart air filter is an HVAC filter that monitors its condition with sensors and uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity to send information to an app.
Unlike traditional filters that depend on you remembering to change them as recommended, a smart air filter tracks factors like airflow restriction and usage to notify you of its status. When the filter becomes clogged and needs changing, the app notifies you so you can replace the filter exactly when needed, optimizing indoor air quality, heating and cooling efficiency, and the HVAC system’s lifespan.
The Department of Energy estimates clean air filters, smart or conventional, improve any HVAC system’s energy efficiency by about 15%.
Do Smart Air Filters Save You Money?
Smart air filters generally cost more than standard home HVAC air filters. So, do smart air filters save you money even with the added upfront cost?
Smart air filters could save you money over the long run with improved HVAC efficiency, meaning less energy usage, and by extending the lifespan of your HVAC system so you have longer without major maintenance problems and buying a new system. However, it’s difficult to find concrete numbers on savings.
Consistently replacing your air filter is a key factor in HVAC efficiency and longevity, your comfort, and healthy air quality. With a dirty air filter, your heating and cooling will need to run harder and longer to get to the set temperature.
The new Palmetto app gives you ways to save overall on your home energy’s usage and on smart air filters in particular and more in the app’s shop.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Other Ways to Save Money With Home Efficiency
Combining smart air filters with other smart HVAC technology such as smart thermostats can lead to larger savings. Integration often occurs through a central smart home platform or hub, or with communication between compatible devices.
A home energy monitoring system can track and give you insights about your home’s energy usage, including your heating and cooling. You can get real-time data and make informed decisions about, for example, when to run appliances given peak or off-peak electric rate periods, how to avoid using vampire energy, or when to charge an electric vehicle.
Bigger changes such as installing home solar panels or an energy-efficient heat pump for heating and cooling could have greater savings potential, too.
With home solar power, you can run your heating, cooling and water heating, which add up to about 52% of the average American home’s energy usage (and bills) according to the US Energy Information Administration, all or mostly on free, clean, renewable energy. To learn more and get estimates for your exact property, you can use our HVAC advisor tool or our solar savings estimate tool.
See what home electrification can do for you:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are smart filters?
A smart air filter is an HVAC filter that monitors its condition with sensors and has connectivity to send information to an app.
Can smart home devices save you money?
Smart home devices, such as smart thermostats, smart plugs, smart air filters, smart heat pump dryers, and more, can save you money by giving you improved energy efficiency.
What are the benefits of smart air filters?
Smart air filters monitor their efficiency with sensors that track filter use according to your HVAC system’s running time or a drop in air pressure going through the filter. They let you know when it’s time to change filters. This lets you take better care of your overall HVAC system, increasing its efficiency and lifespan.
