During the day, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system will normally shut down and restart several times. As a result of the buildup, a dirty filter will also cause poor cold air flow in the air conditioning system. That cold air will be trapped inside the air conditioner, causing ice to form on your coils. Once that happens, the air conditioner will freeze and stop working. However, before your system completely freezes, there will be some telltale signs to watch out for.
One of them is uneven cooling throughout the house. If you notice that some rooms are harder to cool than others, while others are constantly feeling cold, you'll want to check your air conditioner filter first. When the air cleaner is dirty, the air conditioning unit has difficulty operating efficiently. As a result, parts work harder than usual and ultimately break before their time. Not only will this require you to pay for a unit to be repaired, but you will even have to replace it before it has passed its normal 10-15 year lifespan.
If your home has an HVAC system, dirty air filters can effectively stop the oven from heating. Dirt and dust accumulated on the oven air filter will restrict airflow, causing heat to build up in the heat exchanger. Not only will a dirty air filter cause an inefficient and improperly functioning air conditioner, it can also damage your oven. Keep in mind that a clogged air filter is the main cause of equipment failure. The overworked blower can fail completely, causing the entire HVAC system to fail, a result that can be costly to repair or replace.
Of course, some people don't change their filters because they're not sure where the filter is located or because they're not sure how to actually change it. However, a dirty air filter will restrict the flow of cold air, causing it to build up inside the air conditioning unit and lower the temperature. Don't let a dirty air conditioner filter stop you from feeling comfortable in your own home or lead to costly repairs. A clogged air filter will allow all the dust and debris that needs to be filtered to circulate back into your home. Although clogged air filters are one of the most common problems affecting the functionality of air conditioning systems, the filter is often the most overlooked element of your HVAC system and, in fact, needs the most attention. One of the purposes of an air filter is to filter out all microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, plant spores and mold, and even smoke.
If your air conditioner uses a reusable air filter, you don't have to buy a new filter every time you maintain the air conditioner. We recommend checking your air filter at least once a month, but advanced filters can last a little longer. While dirty air filters can prevent an air conditioner from working, there are many ways to keep your air conditioner well cared for and running efficiently for longer. This inefficiency increases rapidly as the filter becomes more and more clogged, or until the filter is serviced. Like replacing your car's engine oil and air filter every 3,000 miles, a clean HVAC air filter protects your heating system from being damaged and ultimately completely failing. Dirty air filters keep your air conditioner running at a lower efficiency, which means it doesn't cool your home as well as it should and can end up costing you more money in the long run. If the filter becomes too clogged with dust, dander and debris, then the blower has to work harder to get air through a clogged filter.
