Dirty and ignored air filters are a source of increased operating costs and poor cooling system operation. Dirty air filters can do a number of things to the environment, your health, and your wallet. These air filters that are left to collect dust and dirt can:
- Reduce air flow in you rhome
- Make your air handler work harder to push more air through the system
- Cause dirt to accumulate on the fan blades which can also waste your energy
- Cause excessive dirt build-up inside the duct system, leading to mold or allergen problems in your home and the need for more costly duct cleaning or replacement
- Induce asthma attacks
- Block the cooling coil itself with dirt, reducing system effectiveness and possibly leading to costly repairs
- Lead to frost build-up on the cooling coil and reduced or totally block air flow in the system
- Eventually permit dirt to bypass the filter where it soils and blocks the blower fan itself, leading to more costly repairs
If you come home and immediately get stuffy or see a lot of dust laying around, it could be an early indication that your air filter needs to be replaced. One method of checking is to remove your air filter and hold it up to a light. If you can see through it, you should still be okay, but if its getting to be where you can’t see anything through it, it is definitely time to change it.
Air Filters Delivered recommends the filters on an air conditioning or hot air heating system should be changed at the VERY minimum every three months. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to change it every month or two. Only you will know how often you should change it.