When you are on a budget, it is sometimes hard to decipher what items are worth your hard-earned cash and which ones are okay to skip. It’s understandable that you might be tempted to omit your air filter replacements because, after all, you can’t see your air so you don’t really know just how harmful it can be. So let’s just stick to your wallet. The truth is, you can’t afford to not replace your air filters on schedule. Here are just a few of the things you can plan to spend money on if you don’t replace your air filters every three months:

Higher Electric Bills

Your air filter is one of the main components that affect the efficiency of your HVAC system. When it is clean, the air flows through without any issues, making sure your system doesn’t have to overdo it. But when it’s dirty, it has to use more energy to keep your home warm or cool, which, as you know, means more money coming out of your pocket every month to pay your electric bill.

Hefty Repair Charges

If your HVAC system is not maintained, it is going to cost you a lot of money to get it repaired. There are no ifs ands or buts about it. And guess what the main reason for HVAC system failure is? Yep, a dirty air filter. If you let your air filter go several years without being changed—which happens way too often, by the way—then you are risking a large bill when your system stops working. And chances are, it will be at the most inopportune time, too, like when it’s the middle of July and 100 degrees outside.

Increased Doctor Visits

Finally, if your air filter is not doing its job because it is already full, then there is a plethora of mold spores, viruses, bacteria, pollen, and pet dander floating around in your air. It may not seem like much at first, but before you know it, you have been to your doctor three times in the past month, and those copays aren’t cheap. Hopefully, you can solve your health issues by replacing your air filter, but if it has been too long, you may have more severe (and more expensive) problems that need to be taken care of. As you can see, if you are on a tight budget, the smart thing to do is to replace your air filters on schedule. Even if you opt for our least expensive option, the MERV 8 air filter, you are still getting a great filter that will keep your air clean and your HVAC system working like it should.