How a Dirty Air Filter Can Negatively Impact Your HVAC System

HVAC stands for ‘heating, ventilation, and air conditioning’ – it is a totally comprehensive system that includes condensers, heating coils, electrical connectors and fans. In the summer and winter, this system will be your secret weapon to beat the heat and stay protected from the bitter cold. One of the most important parts of this comprehensive system is the filter. Your HVAC system’s filter is responsible for making sure the air traveling into the unit doesn’t contain any dust or harmful particles. Without the filter, your system would not be efficient or even operable – in the long run, you wouldn’t get much use out of your HVAC system at all. Here is how a dirty air filter can negatively impact your HVAC system.

First, it is important to learn how an HVAC system works and why an air filter is so important. Your heating and air conditioning system draws in air from the surrounding atmosphere – usually within your home. Most homes have a certain saturation of dust and other pollutants that travel through the air. If your HVAC system didn’t have a filter, all of those particles would enter your system and they would spread throughout your home.

When these particles enter your air conditioning and heating system, they can cause all sorts of problems. However, if you have a dirty filter, the problems may be worse. For one thing, a filter consists of a frame and a series of thin, porous paper that is specifically designed to block out these harmful particles. Overtime, these particles start to build up on the paper. If you haven’t changed your filter in a long time, there is a good chance that it is a brownish or yellowish color – this is a result of all the dirt and debris. If you have never changed your filter, there is a good chance that there is a tremendous amount of dust building up.

When the filter gets particularly dirty, it can cause your entire HVAC system to work inefficiently. For one thing, you may notice that the warm air isn’t as warm and the cool air isn’t as cool. This is because your system is having a hard time drawing in air and converting it – it is also working much harder than it has to, which is causing wear and tear on the mechanics of your unit. Moreover, you may start to notice that your utility bills are higher than usual. All of these signs usually point to a dirty air filter.

When it comes down to it, a dirty filter will not only cause your system to work harder, it can also have a negative affect on the atmosphere. This is why you want to swap out the filter on a regular basis – some say once a month, but others say once a week if you have more heating and cooling needs. In some cases, though, it may not be your filter causing problems – it could be that you need a new HVAC system. In order to get a new system, you will need to find out how to choose an HVAC contractor in your area. As a homeowner, it is important to get serious about taking care of your heating and air conditioning system