Major Consequences Of Not Changing Your Air Filter
An HVAC system that receives regular care and maintenance will also take care of you. It is a fair trade that does not require much money and time. Be sure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations so that you can prolong the unit’s service life. For instance, make sure to replace the air filters regularly. An air filter keeps airborne contaminants from entering your HVAC unit. Although an air filter may seem like an insignificant part of your HVAC system, it has a considerable impact on your system’s performance and service life. A filter also affects your family’s well-being and comfort. Make sure that you stay on top of your home air filter replacement to prevent many of the common issues that go along with dirty HVAC air filters.
Major Consequences Of Not Changing Your Air Filter
Table of Contents
Read on to learn about why it is essential to replace your HVAC air filter regularly.
How HVAC Air Filters Work
Air filters are made of fibrous materials. Some of these could be washable fabric, pleated paper, and spun fiberglass. It is held together by a cardboard frame. They block airborne particles, such as pollen, pet dander, dust, lint, mold spores, and bacteria. Therefore, air filters ensure good airflow and inhibit harmful particles from circulating within your system. It can be tough to balance these tasks. The filters are also only effective for a certain period, so they need to be replaced immediately.
How often you need to change your HVAC filter relies on several factors. It is a good idea to check it every month and replace it as required.
Factors That Impact The Frequency Of Changing An HVAC Air Filter
How often you need to replace the filter depends on its type, pet presence, frequency of HVAC use, environmental condition, and occupant sensitivity. Most homeowners can adhere to the manufacturers’ recommendation without any issues at all. This means that they replace the air filter every one to two months. It is a good rule of thumb for the average home with a single pet.
If you don’t have any pets, this can be extended to three months. Homes that have many pets need their filter changed every 20 days. A seldomly used vacation home or a single-occupant home with no pets can change the filters every 6 to 12 months. If you are unsure what to do, you can check the filters every month to see if it has gotten dirty. As time passes, you can determine a filter replacement schedule that will work for your specific needs.
The Consequences Of Not Changing Out The Filter
Being consistent is crucial. Contaminants get trapped in the filter so they can block the airflow over time. This can strain the system and cause several problems. Neglectful homeowners will find it more challenging to deal with the headaches that follow this inaction.
1. High Energy Bills
HVAC units use a lot of power, but homeowners usually tolerate it as long as it’s reasonable. Clogged filters put a lot of stress on your system to compensate for the limited airflow. As a result, it consumes a lot of power, and you will see a significant increase in your energy bills. When you stick to the recommended maintenance schedule, you can help keep your energy consumption in check and your energy expenses low.
2. Poor Temperature Regulation
The restricted flow of air caused by dirty filters stops conditioned air from getting to its destination. This can result in uneven cooling throughout your home. Some rooms might be too warm, while others are too cold. This leads to some occupants receiving no relief from the HVAC unit when there are extreme temperatures outside. It can make sleeping at night difficult and hard to focus on work during the day. You might end up moving to areas where the conditions are more ideal. However, this is not a good solution as these rooms might end up crowded while others are unoccupied.
3. Poor Indoor Air Quality
A clogged filter is less effective than a freshly installed one. It won’t be able to trap contaminants as effectively. Therefore, more unwanted contaminants will circulate your home, and you’ll end up inhaling them. Those with allergies and asthma are likely to feel the difference in the air first because of their high sensitivity. Other occupants could suffer from an itchy throat, frequent sneezing, dizziness, headaches, and breathing difficulties. These can disrupt your daily tasks. Letting this situation persist means you are exposed to these contaminants and poor indoor air quality for an extended period. This can eventually lead to respiratory issues and other chronic ailments.
4. Early HVAC System Failure
On average, an HVAC system should last for more than ten years with ease as long as it receives proper and regular maintenance. This includes changing the air filters regularly. If not, the system will work harder than needed, and it will break down faster. This is because the components wear out quicker. When this happens, homeowners will have to spend thousands of dollars to get an HVAC replacement.
5. Frozen Air Conditioner Coils
The evaporator coils of your air conditioner absorb the heat from inside your home. They are always cool, and proper airflow is what keeps them from freezing. Reduced airflow because of clogged filters means that the coil cools down until it gets frozen. Therefore, the air conditioner does not operate as it should. It runs erratically until it eventually fails. Repairing this issue can be costly. It is more economical to change the filters regularly and prevent this problem from happening in the first place.
Conclusion
When was the last time your filters got replaced? Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. If your air filters are overdue for a replacement, do it now. Check them and their condition so you can do what is needed. You can also consult your local trusted HVAC technician to help you conduct a thorough system inspection and maintenance. This way, you’ll prevent premature system breakdown and having to go through any costly repairs.
Call Hart Home Comfort For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
Hart Home Comfort provides top-notch HVAC services in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, New York. We have the best professionally certified and highly trained technicians for all your quality heating and cooling service needs. Our skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced technicians can conduct correct repairs, maintenance, installations, and replacements on any HVAC system.
Hart Home Comfort offers the most competitive heating and cooling service rates in the area. When you are looking to enhance your home’s comfort and energy efficiency, our tune-up services can help. If you need a heating and cooling repair or replacement, we can recommend the best one that suits your budget and needs. Your satisfaction is our priority, so all our work is backed with a guarantee. Schedule your next appointment with Hart Home Comfort. Call us today for a free, in-home estimate.
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