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Did you know that the quality of the air in your home can have a significant impact on your physical health? If you’re suffering from unexplained headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or irritation of your eyes, nose, and throat, your dirty air filter could be to blame!
A dirty or clogged air filter is often a source of indoor air quality problems. The good news is it’s very easy to fix. The hardest part seems to be remembering to do it.
Creating a seasonal home maintenance checklist and changing your filter on a schedule is a great idea. However, if that’s not your style, you’ll want to make sure you know how to recognize that it’s time to change your dirty filter. Start with these five telltale signs.
The most obvious sign that you need a new air filter is if the one you have is gray and dirty. Make it a point to pull the air filter out and look at it at least once every other month. If it looks dirty or dusty, replace it.
This will help ensure that you can proactively take care of the issue before it causes poor air quality or other problems.
Have you noticed that your home is dustier than usual? If so, the air filter might be to blame. The purpose of an air filter is to pull dirt and dust out of the air before it circulates through your home.
When it’s full, the dust won’t get caught and will instead accumulate throughout your house. In particular, you might notice dust accumulating around your air vents.
If you or a loved one suddenly starts having allergy symptoms – like a sore throat, red eyes, or a runny nose — you’ll want to look at your air filter. If the air filter is clogged, it can create pressure within your HVAC system, forcing outdoor allergens into your home.
A few days after replacing it, you should feel some relief.
A burning smell from your HVAC unit can signify that the air filter is dirty and clogged. It’s also possible for mold or mildew to accumulate in your air filter. Any time you notice a strange smell in your home, don’t ignore it!
A clogged air filter will cause your HVAC system to work overtime because it has to use more force to push the same amount of air through the filter. Check the filter immediately if you notice that the unit is hot to the touch.
If you change your air filter and the unit still isn’t cooling down, call a technician to take a look at it. You may have a bigger problem.
It would be easier if all dirty air filters needed to be changed on a set schedule, but unfortunately, many variables impact the frequency with which an air filter needs to be changed. For example, if you smoke or have pets in the home, your air filter will get dirty much faster.
Filters with low MERV ratings need to be changed out more often. Your filter also tends to get dirtier during peak use. So, there’s a good chance your air filter needs to be changed more often in the dead of winter and when the summer temperatures start to climb. It’s often a good idea to check your filters once a month during these peak times.
Not only can a dirty air filter make you sick, but it’s been proven that clean air leads to better physical and mental health. Beyond that, however, there are other compelling reasons you need to replace a dirty air filter.
HVAC system performance – a clogged air filter restricts air from flowing through your HVAC system. This can lead to overheating and even expensive breakdowns.
Temperature control – when the air can’t flow through your system properly, it is difficult to maintain the set temperature. If your home is warmer than it should be, the air filter could be a problem.
Energy efficiency – as your system is taxed, it requires additional energy to run. This will result in higher electric bills and a larger carbon footprint.
New filters are inexpensive, making keeping up with replacements a no-brainer!
Whether you have a fresh air system, central heating, cooling unit, or AC window unit, these are some telltale signs to change your air filter. Replacing your dirty filter can be done quickly by popping them out of their housing and putting in new ones. However, if you need help changing your HVAC filter, contact an HVAC company specializing in air conditioning systems.
If you are experiencing issues with your home air conditioning system, call Comfort Air today to fix it! We have been in business for over 25 years. We are licensed, bonded, experienced, and insured. We are also a proud Rheem Pro Partner. Our technicians are trained to install and service all makes and models of air conditioners.
If you need help with your air filters, call Comfort Air today! (813) 413-1726. We have the expertise and experience to handle any job, big or small.
