If you fail to change your home air filter, it can become clogged with dirt, dust, and other contaminants, negatively impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of your home's HVAC system.
As the filter becomes clogged, it will be more difficult for air to pass through it, putting extra strain on your HVAC system and causing it to work harder than it needs to. This can lead to a shorter lifespan for your HVAC equipment and reduced indoor air quality.
It's critical to regularly change your air filter to maintain a smooth-running and efficient HVAC system, thus improving the indoor air quality and airflow in your home. The Airzey team has plenty to say on the topic, so stick around to find out more!
Learn What Happens if You Don't Change Your Air Filter
An HVAC system ensures your system is clean and effective at heating and cooling. As the air filter ages, it starts to get smaller pore sizes. This means less airflow is in the home, and the HVAC unit will not be able to handle the reduced airflow. This decreases indoor air quality and causes the unit to be ineffective.
When you have a dirty filter, debris is blown around the house and into your lungs when you breathe in. Following routine maintenance schedules can make your home cleaner and healthier.
What is an Air Filter?
An air filter is a device used to remove contaminants, such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, from the air in your home. It is typically installed in a home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to help improve indoor air quality.
When it comes to types of air filters, there are many different options, such as paper filters, polyester filters, or fiberglass filters. There are also disposable air filters and pleated filters. They are designed to capture harmful particles as air passes through them.
An air filter in your home filters out the allergens, debris, and dust in the air. Your HVAC system will draw in air and return it to the environment once it has heated or cooled the air.
When you have a clean air filter, the heated and cooled air will be as clean and pure as possible.
Why You Should Change Your Home's Air Filter
When you don't change your home's air filter, tiny dirt gets caught, and the air cannot move through the filter. This can cause many issues in the filter, including the ones below:
The Reduction of Your HVAC System's Lifespan
Failing to change your home's air filter can have severe consequences regarding the lifespan of your HVAC system. As the air filter becomes clogged, it becomes more difficult for air to pass through, putting extra strain on your system and causing it to work harder than it needs to. This extra strain can lead to a shortened lifespan for your HVAC equipment and an increased need for repairs.
A clogged air filter can also reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system, which can cause it to use more energy and drive up your energy bills.
Higher Utility Costs
You will see much higher utility bills if you have old air filters. When your HVAC system is working harder, it uses more electricity. When you replace your air filter, you'll see a significant increase in energy savings.
Frozen Coils in the Condenser
If you don't change your home air filter, it can lead to frozen coils in the condenser, a common problem with air conditioning systems.
When the air filter becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of air through the system, which can cause the temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser coils to drop below freezing. As the refrigerant freezes, it can form a layer of ice on the coils, blocking the flow of heat and reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system.
More Dust and Allergies in Your Home's Air
When the air filter is old and doesn't work well, it will push all the dust and debris back into your house instead of filtering it out. All the allergens in the home will begin circulating, causing increased health risks to small children, the elderly, and people in your home who have allergies.
Changing your air filter ensures everyone has the air quality they need to be healthy.
Detrimental to the Environment
All HVAC systems emit greenhouse gasses, including carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. It is a dangerous gas because it can build up in enclosed spaces and be harmful or even deadly if inhaled.
Additionally, CO can also cause serious damage to the environment. When your system is not working efficiently, more gases are released into your home. So, you will emit more carbon monoxide into the environment and increase your carbon footprint.
Less Repair Work
To properly maintain your HVAC system, you must make sure you are changing the air filter whenever possible. It only costs a few minutes and is inexpensive. If you allow dirt and debris to accumulate in your home, you will have to deal with more costly repairs in the future.
Filters can range from the less expensive, which can remove 15-20% of particulate matter, to the high-end air purifiers, which can remove up to 90% of particulate matter. You can find the best prices for filters at Airzey.
The more money you spend on an air filter, the more dirt and debris you will remove from the air. However, you can always choose to get an inexpensive one when you have a small budget. This means you will need to replace your air filter more often, which is perfectly doable if you can stay prepared by purchasing air filters in bulk.
An Obstructed Air Filter May Accumulate Moisture
Moisture can gather in the gaps that are blocked by the air filters. Mold and mildew will grow in this moisture which can pollute the air. If your house begins to grow mold, it can cause serious health risks to the elderly and small children. It can also cause respiratory problems in people of any age.
You will know if mold is growing in your home by the musty smell it gives off. It can appear in various colors, including black, green, brown, and white. You may notice it growing on a variety of surfaces, including walls, floors, and ceilings. Changing your air filters regularly can help ensure that mold and mildew cannot grow in your home.
If you do notice mold growing in your home, you should call a professional mold removal company as soon as possible.
Changing Air Filter
Not every household will need to change their air filters on the same schedule. The frequency at which you will need to change the air filters depends on your unique needs. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Pets
Owning pets increases the frequency of changing your air filter because they usually shed fur and dander, which can accumulate in your air filter and reduce your HVAC system's effectiveness. Additionally, pets can bring in dirt and other contaminants on their paws and fur, contributing to the build-up of dust and other particles in your air filter. These contaminants can reduce your HVAC system's efficiency and affect your home's indoor air quality.
If you have dogs or cats, you must change your home's air filter every two months. This will ensure you don't have pet hair and dander in the air. If anyone is suffering from allergies living in your home, they will undoubtedly thank you.
Air purifiers can also help your home's air stay clean when you have pets. It can also keep you from having to change the air filter as often.
Allergies
Changing your air filter can help allergy victims by reducing pollen, dust, and pet dander. When these allergens accumulate in your air filter, they can be removed from the air as it passes through the filter. This can help improve the indoor air quality in your home and reduce the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues.
If you or someone in your home has allergies, you need to change the air filter every 50 days. This will ensure that the air is clean for those that suffer from allergies.
HVAC Use
If you use the HVAC system regularly, change the air filters once every six to twelve months. Some experts even recommend changing your air filter every three months; this ensures maximum efficiency of your HVAC system.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What size home air filter replacement?
Make sure you use the same size air filter as the original one for the replacement to ensure there are no malfunctions.
What are the benefits of air filter replacement?
Air filter replacements prolong the life of your heating unit, keep your house clean, and lower your energy bill.
How do I replace my furnace filter?
Use the directions located on your old filter or the user manual to ensure the new filter is in the proper position.
How to Change an Air Filter?
First, locate your air filter. You can find your air filter in your HVAC system's air handler or furnace.
Before changing your air filter, it is crucial to remember to turn off your HVAC system to avoid accidents or injuries.
Make sure you get the correct air filter size for your HVAC system. It should be the same size as your old one.
Remove the old air filter gently and insert the new one. Replace the panel or door, and turn your HVAC system back on.
How to change an Air Filter in AC?
If you need to change the air filter in your air conditioning unit, you can follow these simple steps:
- Open the vent and remove the old filter
- Make sure the airflow arrows on the new filter are pointing toward the HVAC unit
- Install the new filter and close the vent
- Turn the unit back on and make sure the system is running properly
How to Clean Air Filters?
To clean your home air filters, you can follow these simple steps:
- Turn off your HVAC system
- Remove the air filters, gently pulling them out of their frame
- Vacuum the filter to remove any dust, dirt, and debris, paying particular attention to the edges of the filter; this is where most of the dirt tends to accumulate.
- Wash the filter using warm water and a mild detergent, making sure to rinse it thoroughly
- Let it dry completely before reinserting it.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how often to change your air filter and when to change it can ensure your home's HVAC system is healthy. When you don't change the air filters in your home, you risk getting respiratory problems, especially if you have young children or elderly people living there.
Your home's air quality is important because it allows you to breathe well and keeps you from suffering from allergies.
If you're interested in air filters or other items that can increase your air quality, you can check the collections from Airzey. Adding products to your home can ensure your family is healthy, especially in the summer when pollen and other common allergens are in the air.
