How Dirty Filters Affect Your AC

AC Repair and the Dangers of Dirty Filters

The filters in your air conditioner catch dust, dirt, and other allergens that are in the air. In order to avoid expensive AC repair you will need to make sure that these filters are cleaned or replaced regularly. Many people put this task off as everyday life distracts them. But maintaining your filters is one of the most important things you can do to make sure that your AC is in good working order. Below are a few reasons why.

Reduction of Airflow
Because your AC is designed to work with a certain amount of internal airflow, it may malfunction if that airflow becomes drastically reduced. A reduction of airflow will also result in the fan in your unit having to work harder, thereby raising energy consumption and costs.

Dirty Ducts
Dirty filters will cause your ducts to gather dirt more quickly, requiring more frequent cleaning of your ducts. Dirty ducts will also compromise the quality of the air being released into your home, which will eventually end up in your AC system again.

Unhealthy Air
Filters that are dirty or clogged are no longer able to efficiently remove dirt particles from the air you are breathing. This could trigger allergic reactions or even respiratory illnesses. Also, the filter will become a source of unhealthy air itself since a dirty filter provides an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold.

Insufficient Cooling
Because there will be issues with your airflow if your filters are dirty or clogged, your AC won’t be working as efficiently as it could be. There may be hot and cold spots in your home and it may become difficult to reach the desired indoor temperature.

Increased Operating Costs
Both the cooling inefficiency and the reduced airflow that results from dirty filters will send your utility bills through the roof. This is because your AC will need to work much harder in order to cool your house, which requires more power. It is therefore much more cost-efficient to simply keep an eye on your filters and clean or replace them when necessary.

Coil Dysfunction
The evaporator coils in your AC absorb the heat from your home’s return air. But if your filters are clogged, the coils will not receive enough heat and this can result in them dropping below freezing temperature. Frozen coils block airflow, reduce your air conditioner’s ability to maintain indoor climate control, and can eventually cause the entire system to fail. It may also cause water damage.

In order to avoid these issues, you simply need to change or clean your air filters, which should take no longer than five minutes. This should be done monthly or once every three months if the filters are of a high quality. In addition, you should change your filters more often if you have pets, live in a dusty area, or if there are several people living in the house.

For more information about air filters, where to buy them, how to change them, or any other information about your air conditioning unit, contact the professionals at Art Plumbing, AC and Electric.