Air filters are essential for keeping dust and other debris from circulating through the HVAC system. If the air cleaner isn't changed regularly, not only will debris pass through and clog your HVAC system, but it will also end up circulating around your home. Replacing the air filter and having the HVAC system inspected regularly are part of a preventive maintenance routine. Failure to change the air filter can damage other parts of the system and can result in a large repair bill later on. Changing air filters regularly can help preserve the life of your system and make it work more efficiently.
If the air filter is clogged and can't trap contaminants like it did before, those things can go back to the air that everyone in your home breathes. Immediate problems may include headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and dizziness. If air filters are not changed and problems persist, long-term effects could be respiratory disease, heart disease, or cancer. Getting the most value out of your home can be as easy as changing air filters.
Homeowners who ignore filters in their heating and air conditioning systems risk increasing energy costs, damaging expensive equipment, and decreasing indoor air quality and personal health. Read on to learn what can happen if you don't change your air filters. If the air cleaner is clogged and can't keep contaminants out of the air as they should, those elements can return to the air you breathe. As a result, immediate problems could include itchy eyes or throat, headaches, and more. If you continue with that same air filter and the problems keep pace, the long-term impacts could be serious.
They include possible heart disease, respiratory disease and even cause cancer, experts say. With a clogged air filter, air will not flow through the coils properly, causing them to stop working and causing a total system failure. But what happens if you let that time go by a little? Before we talk about WHEN the air filter should be changed, let's start with the WHY. Sometimes I see filters half bent in the center or other signs of having a low air seal around the filter frame. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered HVAC system grade filters for residential, commercial, and general hospital use. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. When air filters are not constantly changed, they become clogged by the accumulation of particles and contaminants that adhere to the filter.
Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the manufacturer of your oven or air conditioner may impair its performance. In essence, having an air filter clogged for longer than recommended will be hazardous to the health of those who live in your home, including pets. The accumulation of particles and contaminants connects to the filter and acts as a blanket that blocks the flow of air. If you forget to replace the air filter for an extended period of time, there are often devastating results. Ultimately, these four main things will happen if you continue to leave a dirty air filter in your air conditioner: You will no longer be able to filter the air properly, allowing dust and contaminants to enter the HVAC system; while the filter is designed to accommodate these tiny elements, the buildup creates a nearly impenetrable barrier so that air cannot fully flow; this can ultimately cause multiple problems to the entire HVAC system; and depending on the type of air filter you use, you will need to follow different programs to ensure that the filter is always working for optimal performance.
