Heating and cooling your Charleston area home accounts for about half of your annual utility bill. There are a number of ways you can increase the efficiency of your HVAC system to ensure lower energy costs, and replacing the system air filter when it’s dirty is an essential year-round preventive maintenance task. The negative effects of a dirty HVAC air filter are far-reaching and potentially serious.
Effects of a Dirty HVAC Air Filter
The air filter in your HVAC system is located in the blower compartment between the cold air return and the main body of the system. Before air enters the system to be conditioned, it passes through the filter, which removes dust particles and contaminants. A dirty air filter:
- Restricts the flow of air to the system, which can result in overheating and related damage. This can include, but isn’t limited to, a frozen evaporator coil and excessive heat buildup inside the heat exchanger that can shut down your system and require expensive repairs.
- Allows dust to enter the system and coat essential components like the fan, motor, coils and heat exchanger. Dirty coils interfere with the absorption and release of heat, and dust buildup on the fan can prevent it from operating at the required speed for optimum air movement.
- Allows particulate pollutants in your home to re-circulate throughout the rooms. A dirty filter leads to poor indoor air quality and increased allergy and asthma symptoms, and can cause respiratory illnesses down the road. Particles trapped by the air filter include pollen, mold spores, dust mites, pet dander and some bacteria.
Regular Replacement is Essential
Replacing the dirty air filter will help ensure top system efficiency, prevent expensive damage and common HVAC problems, and clean your home’s air for better overall health. Experts recommend that you check the air filter each month and swap it out for a clean, good-quality, pleated filter when you can no longer see the filter material behind the dust.
For more expert tips on preventing the effects of a dirty HVAC air filter, please contact us in the in the North Charleston and Mount Pleasant areas at Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning.
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