What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Air Filter?
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An AC filter is there for a reason. When the unit sucks in air from a room, it will get pulled over coils to chill it. Then, it will be blown through your air ducts to the other rooms in the house.
The filter is located at the point where the air comes into the system, trapping airborne particles that get stuck within it and keeping them from entering the equipment and clogging up the coils.
When the coils get clogged, they are not able to heat or cool the air that passes over them, and eventually, the entire system may get damaged. That is why FilterKing wants to remind you that having a clean air filter is important to keep the unit working efficiently while protecting it so that it will last longer.
What Do Clean AC Filters Do?
It is hard to argue with the benefits of a clean AC filter mostly because having one means you will be saving energy and money. By routinely changing or cleaning the filters in your equipment, the system will run much more efficiently and last a lot longer. Those are great reasons why it is essential for you to be mindful of when the filters should be changed.
What if My Filter Looks Clean When I Want to Change It? Should I Just Leave It a Bit Longer?
A filter that has been working for a while should be gray and dusty. If it is still looking clean, there may be some things you should check.
Confirm that the filter is correctly placed in its holder. If it is too loose or too small, the air may be circulating around it and not going through it. Verify that you are purchasing the right size for your unit, otherwise, get one that fits tightly.
Look at the way it is installed. It may be in the wrong way. Look at the arrows on the filter frame and make sure they are pointing toward the fan.
Also, look at the quality of the filter you are using, you may have to upgrade to one with a higher MERV rating. Finally, if after confirming you have the right filter it still looks too clean to change, you may want to call an AC technician to verify there is nothing wrong with your unit.
What Happens When Air Filters Are Not Cleaned or Changed?
Dirty air filters get clogged by a buildup of contaminants. Although the filter is designed to hold a great amount of these particles, eventually they will create a dense barrier that will prevent the air from flowing freely through it, ultimately resulting in a variety of problems for your HVAC system, among them:
Your Energy Bills Will Increase
A clogged filter makes the entire unit work harder, thus increasing your electric bills.
Temperature Is Not Adequately Regulated
A clogged filter and a strained system mean the unit will be unable to cool or warm the air as it should. This may make some rooms too cold in the winter and others too warm in the summer.
Health Issues
When contaminants cover the entire filter, they will start backing up into the air that you and your loved ones breathe on a daily basis. This can cause itchy throats and eyes but may also have a serious impact on those suffering from asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
Furnace Failure
Ultimately, a system that is forced to work harder than it is designed to may end up failing completely. Allowing this to happen will mean a big hit to your budget since replacing an HVAC system is a major investment.
