Why Regular Air Filter Checks are Essential for Rental Property

Ever wondered why regular air filter checks are essential for rental properties? The easy answer is that it’s critical for improving resident safety and comfort. 

But even better, changing air filters regularly saves maintenance and electricity costs. The U.S. Department of Energy states replacing a dirty filter can lower an air conditioner's energy consumption by up to 15%!

As a rental property manager, there's a lot you must understand about air filter maintenance to ensure a healthy environment for your residents. To help you, we'll explain what air filter checks include, why they are necessary, and who bears the maintenance responsibilities.

Who Is Responsible for Air Filter Maintenance?

Air filter maintenance is a joint responsibility shared between residents and property managers. 

While property managers oversee the general upkeep of HVAC systems, residents should frequently inspect, maintain, and even replace air filters. 

Resident's Responsibility

A resident maintains the air filters in a rental unit. They regularly replace filters to ensure the HVAC system works efficiently. In doing so, they also potentially lower their utility bills. 

If a resident has pets or allergies, it’s a good idea to change air filters every 90 days. The replacement process is fairly simple:

1. Turn off the HVAC system completely to avoid electrocution.
2. Locate the filter and remove it carefully, avoiding dispersing accumulated dirt. 
3. If the filter is not too damaged, vacuum or wash it in water. It is best to vacuum a pleated and electronic filter and only wash mechanical filters in water.
4. Alternatively, replace it with a new one, making sure it fits securely. Dispose of the old filter properly.

Property Manager's ResponsibilityAs a rental property manager, it is your responsibility to ensure the proper maintenance of HVAC systems in your rental units. Neglecting this vital equipment can lead to inefficient operation, higher utility costs, and unhappy residents. 

You can set reminders to inspect filters every one to three months and replace them as needed. based on the buildup and the manufacturer's recommendations. Don't leave this critical task solely up to residents!

In addition to filter maintenance, you should have HVAC professionals from reputable companies conduct routine inspections and tune-ups twice yearly - ideally, before peak heating and cooling seasons begin (seasonal rental property maintenance).

This regular maintenance allows technicians to thoroughly clean components, check refrigerant levels, tighten electrical connections, and identify negligible issues before they snowball into major breakdowns. 

When your units need repairs, handle them promptly. After all, allowing residents to live without heating or AC results in poor air quality that violates rental agreements. 

Some localities even permit residents to make necessary repairs themselves and deduct the cost from rent if landlords are unresponsive. If your lease clearly states who should pay for such rental maintenance, stay on top of repair needs. 

The best tips? Working with reputable rental inspection companies like RentCheck and properly repairing your systems if you find a fault. RentCheck allows residents to perform air filter changes and routine inspections at their own convenience – instead of having to coordinate with a property manager. With RentCheck, property managers can verify residents change air filters at regular intervals, prolonging the lifespan of HVAC systems.

Why Are Regular Air Filter Checks Important for Rental Property?

Here are a few important reasons you want to check the air filters on a rental air conditioner regularly:

1. Indoor Air Quality

Maintaining adequate indoor air quality is essential for resident health and satisfaction. Clean air filters help remove harmful particles and allergens and, thus, ensure a healthier living environment. 

Good indoor air quality is even more important in densely populated areas or cities. In short, the more residents you have on your property, the more frequently your air filters need changing. 

When you regularly check and replace air filters, you keep residents happy and healthy, while minimizing issues and expenses you'd incur if the filters failed and the HVAC unit got damaged!

2. HVAC System Efficiency

Maintaining the HVAC system slashes energy expenses and diminishes the likelihood of costly repairs or replacements. With consistent upkeep, you prevent the systems from becoming overworked due to clogged filters. 

This proactive approach guarantees enhanced longevity, peak performance, and heightened energy efficiency. 

Conversely, when you neglect air filters, you force HVAC systems to toil harder, increasing energy consumption and the looming threat of premature breakdowns.

3. Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance involves regular inspections to understand problems before they become significant. With this approach, you will mitigate unexpected failures and inefficiencies. 

As such, you want to perform regular air filter checks to safeguard your HVAC system's integrity. When you do so, you will identify issues like dust and debris accumulation early on, and you can clean or replace the filters before they fail. 

Did we mention you also end up saving costs on hefty repair bills? Win-win!

4. Resident Satisfaction

One of your main goals as a rental property manager is resident satisfaction. As in any industry and business, the happier the client, the better the bottom line!

Good air conditioning is one way to attract and retain happy (and healthy) residents. So, perform regular maintenance checks and uphold transparent communication about resident responsibilities, including proactive measures that would sustain good indoor air quality.

Satisfied renters will be more likely to renew their leases and recommend your properties to others. That ultimately contributes to your long-term success in real estate and property management.

Do Property Managers Have to Provide Air Conditioning in Rental Properties?

Sometimes, a property manager does not have to provide air conditioning. But, this will depend significantly on your state's laws and the specific terms outlined in your lease agreements. There is no overarching federal law mandating air conditioning in rental units, but state and local regulations can vary, particularly in areas where extreme heat poses health risks. 

For instance, New Orleans' property managers must provide air conditioning in rental properties. In Arizona, property managers should ensure that existing air conditioning systems are functional and maintain safe, habitable conditions within rental units. In Florida, property managers do not have to provide air conditioning under the landlord-tenant law.

However, if your rental property includes an air conditioning unit, regardless of state, you typically must maintain it in good working condition unless your lease explicitly states otherwise. This includes handling repairs not caused by resident negligence. Specific time frames for repairs after notification can depend on local laws.

What Does Air Filter Maintenance Include?

Air filter maintenance is essential to ensuring your HVAC systems work optimally. You need good air filters to improve air quality, reduce energy costs, and prolong equipment life. 

Their maintenance includes frequent rental inspections to understand when to clean, replace, or perform other fixes like replacing air filter components. 

However, to understand the kind of maintenance you need, you want to start by knowing the type of air filter your AC unit comes with. Some types include:

• Fiberglass filters: These are basic and capture large particles.
• Pleated filters: They are made from cotton, polyester, or paper, which offer more surface area to trap particles.
• HEPA filters: Some of the best filters out there, capable of capturing extremely small particles and are highly efficient.
• ULPA filters: You'd need these for environments like cleanrooms where you must remove extremely fine particulate matter.
• Electronic filters: They use static electricity to attract and hold particles.

Air Filter Maintenance Tasks

Once you understand the type of air filter you're working with, the maintenance can include:

• Clean or replace filters as needed. This will be based on visual inspections or according to a maintenance schedule. You can clean reusable filters or replace them when visibly dirty or clogged. A dirty filter will reduce airflow, and residents may experience worsened allergies or respiratory symptoms.
• Inspect for blockages in vents and ducts to ensure no obstructions could impede airflow.
• Check seals and gaskets for damage to prevent unfiltered air from bypassing the filter.
• Monitor for mold and moisture around the filter area, as these can significantly impact air quality and health.

Eventually, you will need to change filters, so establish a consistent replacement schedule to preserve your rental property's HVAC systems.

The frequency of replacement varies based on filter type and quality. For instance, you can change a fiberglass filter monthly, while a pleated furnace filter can last up to 90 days or six months. However, you don't want to wait the entire duration - replace the filter sooner to prevent allergen buildup and health risks.

Also, when purchasing filters, you can consider disposable vs. reusable options. While replaceable filters are effective, they incur ongoing costs. On the other hand, reusable ones are cost-effective and eco-friendly but require regular cleaning.

Streamline All Property Inspections With RentCheck

Regular air filter checks are an essential aspect of rental property maintenance that you want to pay attention to. When in good working condition, air filters contribute to your property's overall health and efficiency, resident satisfaction, and cost-saving.

So, don't wait until air quality issues or HVAC breakdowns arise – take proactive steps today by signing up for RentCheck. The platform helps you streamline your property inspections by empowering residents to complete their own inspections, while property managers monitor them every step of the way. RentCheck helps verify that air filter checks are performed on schedule and your rental properties remain in top condition. 

Why wait? Get on top of your rental property maintenance by signing up today. 

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