A dirty air filter can have a huge impact on your HVAC system, energy costs, and even your health. If you don't change your air filter regularly, you may be putting yourself and your family at risk. Let's take a look at what can happen if you don't change your air filter in the house. When the air filter is clogged, it reduces airflow to the HVAC system and makes it work harder. This means that it uses more energy, which costs you more money.
You may also be unable to keep your home at the right temperature, as the system has to work for longer periods. If the air filter is not changed, contaminants like dust and pollen can go back into the air that everyone in your home breathes. This can cause immediate problems such as headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and dizziness. If the air filters are not changed and these problems persist, the long-term effects could be respiratory disease, heart disease, or cancer. Not changing the air filter in the house for a long time can also lead to damage to the oven.
This is because the entire system will be destroyed by excess heat. Every time you change your air filter, set reminders on your phone to check it (or change it, if needed) after 30 days, 45 days, 60 days, and 90 days. This will help ensure that the air filters are not clogged and need to be replaced. Like dust settling on a flat surface, the rotating fan blades and the air pressure of your HVAC system can force particles to fall on different surfaces, crevices, heating and cooling coils, and electrical and mechanical components. To keep the air in your home clean and avoid unnecessary repairs, consider replacing air filters every 30 to 90 days. Some older models have air filters inside them and you may need to have the right tools to replace them.
But what happens if you let that time go by a little? Before we talk about WHEN you should change your air filter, let's start with the WHY. Sometimes I see filters half bent in the center or other signs of having a low air seal around the filter frame. Along with common dust, indoor air pollution can increase significantly, including pollen, VOCs, and allergens. Let's just say that while changing your air conditioner filter is a very simple thing to do, it can have a huge impact on your HVAC performance, life expectancy, and possibly even your health. If you neglected to change the AC filter for some time, there is a good chance that a lot of dust will accumulate inside the ducts. When dust clogs the filter, it is easier for air to flow around the filter than through it.
You should only change the filter every 6 months if you have a 5-inch thick high-efficiency filter. Homeowners who ignore filters in their heating and air conditioning systems risk increasing energy costs, damaging expensive equipment, and decreasing indoor air quality and personal health. See below to learn what can happen if you don't change your air filters.
