The Effects of Not Changing the Air Filter in Your House
Posted by Moore Home Services
News
One of the biggest pieces of advice we always give homeowners is to change your air filter at least twice per year. Once before furnace season, and once before AC season. If you ignore it and let things build up over time there could be major consequences to your home, health, and HVAC system. Because of this, we’re sharing the effects of not changing the air filter in your house.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
The air inside your home can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside, according to the EPA. Though this may sound shocking, it’s true, and your first line of defense is your air filter. All treated air in your home is distributed through your HVAC system and ductwork. Before any air can reach your home, and your lungs, it must first pass through the air filter. The air filter can catch mold spores, bacteria, dust, dirt, pollen, and other microorganisms. Over time, you need to change your air filter for it to effectively capture these microorganisms. If your air filter is too full of debris, it won’t be able to catch these things and they will be released into your home’s air system.
High Utility Bills
A dirty air filter means your system is not running at maximum efficiency. Clean air filters allow treated air to freely pass through while the filter catches any dust or dander. If the filter is full of dust and other debris, air will have a harder time passing through it which will cause your HVAC system to work harder. When your HVAC system works harder, it forces your utility bills to go up and causes needless wear and tear on your system.
Issues with Your HVAC System
An unwelcome effect of not changing the air filter in your house is potential HVAC failure. These issues aren’t specific to your furnace or AC, it can affect them both. One of the biggest ways a dirty air filter affects your HVAC system is through improper air flow. Your entire HVAC system needs to have proper air flow in order to function. A dirty air filter cuts off the important air supply and forces your entire system to work twice as hard for the same amount of treated air. Some problems that can come from operating your HVAC system too long with a dirty air filter are:
Frozen Evaporator Coils – The evaporator coil plays a very important role in your cooling system. It removes heat from the air and keeps your treated air cool. Refrigerant plays a key role in keeping the air cool. If the coil does not receive proper air flow, the refrigerant can dip to a lower than normal temperature. If this happens, condensation can buildup on the evaporator coil. That condensation may ice over, resulting in a block of ice where your evaporator coil should be.
Compressor Damage – Both your AC and furnace constantly work to maintain a specific temperature in your home. Your entire HVAC system will run itself into the ground if you let it. If air flow is blocked due to a dirty air filter, your system isn’t allowed to take a break, which puts a huge amount of strain onto the machinery. If your system constantly works twice as hard as it should, it could lead to your compressor failing earlier than expected.
Want to Learn More? Schedule an Appointment with Moore Home Services
Are you seeing any of the effects of not changing your air filter in your house? Then it’s time to give the experts at Moore Home Services a call. We are a Diamond Certified HVAC and plumbing company, and proudly serve our Santa Rosa, Marin County, and Sonoma communities. To meet your expert, call the number at the bottom of the screen or click here to schedule an appointment online.
