If there is an excessive amount of dirt in the air filter, the air conditioner will have to work harder to cool the entire room or house. This will reduce the system's efficiency and can even cause it to stop working if the filter is not replaced. Furthermore, it will consume a lot of energy to cool the house. A clean air filter will not impede airflow in and out of your unit.
However, a dirty air filter will restrict the flow of cold air, causing it to accumulate inside the air conditioning unit and lower the temperature. If the air filter becomes clogged during the summer cooling season, cold air buildup can cause ice to form on the air conditioning coils or evaporator. Freezing will reduce the HVAC system's ability to remove heat from the air and eventually cause the air conditioner to fail. To change the temperature of your home, your heating and air conditioning system draws air from one room, passes it through coils to heat or cool it, and then blows warm air through ducts to the other rooms in your house.
The air cleaner is positioned at the point where the air is introduced into the system. It traps airborne particles that are absorbed by the air and prevents them from blocking the blower and clogging the coils. Clogged coils cannot heat or cool the air passing through them and can damage the system. Therefore, an air filter helps your heating and cooling system do its job, keeps it running efficiently, and protects it from damage. Summers in Hampton, VA make a well-functioning air conditioner a necessity in your home.
When your cooling system works overtime, a clean AC filter helps ensure you stay cool and comfortable. Switching a dirty filter to a clean one is an important part of air conditioning maintenance. Your system will perform better, last longer, and help keep the air you breathe clean and healthy. Here are four signs that indicate it's time to change the AC filter: if you haven't cleaned or changed it in a long time and your air conditioner hasn't blown cold air like before; if dirty filters restrict the flow of cold air; if ice formation on coils occurs; or if you haven't changed it in a month or two. MERVs range from 1 to 16, with a higher number indicating greater cleaning efficiency because they can filter smaller particles from the air. According to Freddie Williams, an air conditioning technology instructor at Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, Georgia, delaying replacing your filter due to cost can only be more costly in the long run.
The overworked blower can fail completely, causing the entire HVAC system to fail, a result that can be costly to repair or replace. Regularly replacing your air filter is an easy step you can take to extend the life of one of the biggest investments in your home. For people with chronic illnesses such as allergies or asthma, clean filters can relieve annoying symptoms. If you install a new filter but don't turn on the heating or air conditioning until a month or two later, it should still be relatively clean since no airflow has been forced through. The environment of your home and how often you operate your heating or cooling system can also affect how quickly your air filter becomes dirty. A dirty filter creates a layer of dirt, dust and dander that restricts how much air your AC receives and puts pressure on its blower.
Something as simple as cleaning or changing your AC's filter can make a big difference in its performance and doing so at recommended intervals is what matters most. A dirty air filter can also cause poor indoor air quality and allergens to build up in your system leading to respiratory problems or even mold in your ducts. If your home is well-sealed, pet-free, dust-prone furniture such as carpets and cloth-covered furniture are present, and you clean dust and vacuum every day, then there will be fewer airborne particles for your filters to capture. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) is an industry-standard rating that lets consumers know how well an air filter cleanses the air that passes through it.
