What Happens When You Forget to Change Your Air Filter?

What Happens When You Forget to Change Your Air Filter?

Impacts to your comfort, equipment, and utility bill

You’ve probably heard many times that you should change your HVAC filter every 30 to 90 days. However, people are busy and sometimes forget this task. If you’ve done this a time or two and not seen any destruction, you may begin to think that it’s okay to not change your filter. This is far from the truth. Once you understand what actually happens when you forget to change your filter you’ll likely be more inclined to replace it consistently.

  • Your energy costs will rise - No matter if you have a gas or electric-powered system, a system with a dirty filter must work harder to achieve your desired temperature. You’ll see the difference in your utility bills. If you’ve noticed your energy bills seem higher than usual for no other reason, a dirty filter could be the cause.
  • Your system is more prone to breakage – There’s another problem with your dirty filter forcing your HVAC system to work harder: A system that has to work harder will be more likely to break or wear out sooner. HVAC repairs are often costly, time-consuming, and inconvenient.
  • Unable to cool or warm your house to your temperature - A clogged filter robs your system of capacity and could lead to the evaporator coil freezing over. You may find your system runs and runs without reaching your temperature. You’re paying for it to run constantly, but you’re uncomfortable.

It should be obvious that changing your air filter regularly should certainly be a priority. In addition, choosing the right air filters matters quite a bit too. If you have any questions about what type of filter is best for your system or how often you should change it, reach out to us.

 

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How to Dispose of a Dirty Air Filter

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How Do I Measure My Air Filter?

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Washable Air Filters vs. Disposable Air Filters


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