Dirty Air Filter: What can It Cause to your House?

Yes, a dirty air filter can cause your house not to cool. As an air filter becomes too dirty, it restricts the flow of air through the system, reducing its efficiency and preventing it from cooling your home correctly. A clean air filter will help ensure your system runs properly and efficiently.

An air filter for an HVAC system is designed to remove contaminants from the air in a home or building with a forced air heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Depending on the type of filter, it can remove airborne particles such as pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and other allergens. Some air filters are also designed to remove odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Depending on the size of the HVAC system, the air filter can be installed in the return air duct or the air handler.

Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause a House Not to Cool

Unfortunately, a dirty ac air filter can cause havoc on your HVAC system when you most need your air conditioning. That ultimately leads to expensive repairs or a complete collapse. You may save money on energy costs and prevent costly air conditioning repairs by maintaining a clean air filter.

Causes of Dirty Air Filters

Various factors can lead to dirty air filters. Some of these include:

High temperatures: Your air filter may develop a dirt problem when the ambient temperature rises significantly. This is so that the blower motor can push more air through the AC system when it’s boiling outside. The filters will therefore gather more dust and clog more quickly.

Cheap filters: Compared to high-quality filters, cheap ones typically last less. Consider the standard fiberglass air filters as an example. Typically, these air filters can last for 30 days. So if you discover that your air filters are acquiring dirt quickly, it may be because you have cheap, low-quality air filters.

Leaks in Air Ducts: If there are duct leaks, your unit will work harder and accumulate dirt more quickly.

Mold: In some circumstances, moisture that enters the air conditioner can cause mold to grow and accumulate on the air filters. Mold can impair your health in addition to slowing your system.

Problems Caused by Dirty Filters

A dirty air filter can lead to multiple problems. Since it reduces the HVAC’s efficiency, it could lead to higher energy bills. In addition, a dirty air filter makes it almost impossible for a house to cool because of clogged air ducts, etc.

Other issues include increased wear and tear on your system and more airborne contaminants in your home. Hence, changing your air filter regularly is essential to ensure your system is running correctly and efficiently.

The following issues could arise when your air filter is dirty:

Overheating: If your air conditioner’s filters are unclean, your air conditioner may eventually become overheated. This is because to stay up, the system must work more.

Need for more heating/cooling: Achieving the desired indoor temperature levels may be challenging if your AC filters clog up. Also, dirt and debris blocking the system’s airflow may make your home uncomfortable and warm.

Unclean air: If your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly, your home’s interior air quality may suffer due to stagnant indoor air. Poor indoor air quality has been connected to lung and respiratory conditions like asthma.

Reduced efficiency of air conditioning system: When air filters become clogged with dirt and debris, there is a decrease in the amount of air that can pass through, reducing the system’s efficiency.

Poor indoor air quality: When the air filter becomes clogged, it can no longer adequately filter out airborne pollutants, leading to poor indoor air quality.

Increased energy costs: When air filters become dirty, the air conditioning system has to work harder to maintain the same temperature, resulting in increased energy costs.

Premature system breakdowns: Dirty air filters can cause premature air conditioning system breakdowns, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home properly during the summer, it may be due to clogged air filters blocking sufficient airflow, causing the evaporator or cooling coils to freeze up. This can reduce the unit’s ability to remove heat from the air, ultimately leading to the air conditioner breaking down. To prevent this, regularly replace or clean your air filters to ensure adequate airflow.

What to do

Check your air filter: Inspect it and note if it appears dark or clogged. If your filter is dirty, replace it with a new one.

Clean or replace the filter: Depending on the type of filter, you can clean it. If not, replace it with a new filter.

Ensure proper airflow: Ensure that the air inlet and outlet vents are not blocked by furniture or other objects.

Monitor the filter: Regularly check the air filter for dirt and debris and replace it as needed.

Benefits of Cleaning or Replacing Air Filter

Improved Air Quality: The most notable benefit of cleaning air filters in your HVAC system is improved air quality. A clogged air filter will not be able to capture dirt and other airborne contaminants that could otherwise get into your home’s air. By regularly replacing or cleaning your air filter, you help to ensure that the air inside your home is as clean as possible.

More Efficiency: Clean air filters help your HVAC system work more efficiently. When air filters become clogged, your system has to work harder to push air through the filter. This can lead to higher energy costs and reduce the life of your HVAC system.

Improved Comfort: Clean air filters can also help to improve your comfort inside your home. When your air filter is clogged, your HVAC system may not reach the temperature you set on your thermostat. This can leave your home feeling stuffy and uncomfortable.

Cost Savings: Cleaning or replacing your air filters can also help you save money in the long run. As mentioned earlier, dirty filters can lead to higher energy costs, which can add up over time.

Dr. Rescue Home Services can help you with dirty air filters. Small projects to large projects, Dr. Rescue Home Services are here to help.. Give us a call at (832) 979-0148  or  book online.