Major Consequences Of Not Changing Your Air Filter
HVAC systems provide your home its cooling and heating needs, therefore making you and your family more comfortable. However, to ensure that it stays that way, you also need to take good care of it. The best thing about HVAC system maintenance is that it doesn’t cost you a lot of time and money. All you need is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and you’d enjoy your unit’s service for a decade. One of those recommendations is to stay on top of your home air filter replacement.
Air filters block unwanted air particles or debris from entering your unit. Although they look small, they actually have a very significant effect on your HVAC system’s performance and lifespan.
How you frequently change your air filter can significantly affect your and your family’s health and comfort. So, always ensure to regularly replace the air filters to avoid the most common HVAC problems.
Major Consequences Of Neglecting Air Filter Replacements
Contents
In this article, we’ll emphasize the importance of changing your HVAC air filters. We’ll discuss how they work and the consequences that arise when you don’t change your air filter.
Let’s dive into it…
How HVAC Air Filters Work
Fibrous materials like pleated paper, washable fabric, and spun fiberglass are the heart of air filters. Manufacturers then add a cardboard frame to add rigidity to the whole structure.
The main job of your filters is to catch large particles, such as pollen, animal fur, lint, mold spores, dust, and bacteria. While doing so, filters should ensure that a good amount of air can still pass through, leaving you with good quality air while minimizing the presence of harmful substances.
While this is effective, there are limits. Once the bacteria or dirt build-up is too much, the airflow is affected. This is the reason why air filter replacements are necessary.
But how often should you replace your air filter?
Well, this depends on many factors, which we’ll discuss below. The important thing, however, is that you check your air filters monthly to see if they need to be replaced.
The Circumstances That Affect How Often To Change An Air Filter
Factors that may affect the replacement rate of your air filters are:
- Filter type
- Environmental condition
- Occupant sensitivity
- Pet presence
- Frequency of use
Most manufacturers would recommend getting a new air filter every 30-60 days, and it’s safe to follow this.
A 30-60 day recommendation is ideal for a family home with a pet. Families with multiple pets, on the other hand, might have to replace their air filters within 20 days. However, if you don’t have one, then it’s possible that your air filter would just need to be replaced every three months.
For homes that are seldom used or if you’re alone at home with no pets, then your unit’s air filter can last for 6-12 months before you’d even need to replace them.
But how do you know if you need to change them after 30 days or not? Well, just simply check the air filter monthly to check if it’s already dirty. Eventually, you’ll easily figure out how long you’d have to wait before you get it replaced.
The Consequences Of Not Changing Out The Filter
When it comes to air filter replacement, you need to be consistent.
Remember, contaminant build-up will eventually block good airflow. This can cause the system to be under a lot of stress, triggering multiple issues. This is why you need to be consistent with replacing your air filter as necessary.
If you neglect this important task, you’ll experience major consequences, which we’ll detail below:
1. High Energy Bills
HVAC systems undeniably consume a lot of energy which can still be tolerable for most. However, if you have clogged air filters, your system will have to work harder to compensate for the lack of airflow. Naturally, this will cause your energy bills to soar even higher.
You might think that air filters are a waste of money. However, it’s actually still relatively cheaper than the cost of having high energy bills every month.
So, always stick to your scheduled air filter replacement, which should be consistent if there are no changes in your household conditions. It will also help you control your expenses better.
2. Poor Temperature Regulation
When the airflow is restricted, conditioned air won’t go to where you need it to go. This results in uneven heating or cooling throughout your home. There will be rooms that will feel colder or warmer than the others, making other occupants feel uncomfortable and unhappy.
Imagine being able to sleep soundly at night while your baby in the other room can’t get to sleep, right? It sounds bad for everyone involved.
The worst part here is that some family members would be forced to move to rooms where conditions are more favorable, making the room crowded and still uncomfortable.
So, save yourself the hassle of having to deal with all these by simply replacing your air filter on a timely basis.
3. Poor Indoor Air Quality
A clogged filter, as obvious as it looks, wouldn’t have the same filtering ability to trap particles as a newly installed one does. This means that unwanted particles can still enter your home where you and your family can breathe them in.
People who have allergies or who are asthmatic would definitely feel the difference in air quality as they are more sensitive. At the same time, even those who have no allergies would react to this by sneezing a lot, feeling dizzy, having difficulty breathing, etc.
It’ll definitely affect your daily lives, and constant exposure can lead to serious diseases like respiratory problems or chronic ailments.
In other words, your and your family’s health can be compromised. And that’s all because the air filter wasn’t replaced.
4. Early HVAC System Failure
Changing air filters is part of your HVAC unit’s maintenance, and failure to do so can lead to early HVAC system failure.
In general, HVAC systems can last for over a decade. But if you don’t replace your air filter, you make your unit work harder than it should, leading to an early burnout. Basically, the unit will break due prematurely due to excessive wear and tear of the components.
If you’re afraid to spend a few bucks for a new air filter, you should think about the thousands of dollars you’d have to spend if your HVAC system breaks down and needs to be replaced.
5. Frozen Air Conditioner Coils
Your air conditioner’s evaporator coils act as a heat absorber to cool down your home. They are naturally cool and will freeze when there’s improper airflow. This issue usually happens when the air filters are clogged.
If you have frozen evaporator coils, your system won’t run properly, resulting in erratic behavior. Eventually, you would need to get this problem fixed, and it definitely won’t be cheaper than just replacing your air filter in the first place.
Conclusion
Now that you’re aware of the major consequences of not changing your unit’s air filter, we want you to think about the last time you replaced them.
Do you think you’re following the recommended schedule? Or are your filters long overdue for a change?
Whatever your answer is, make sure that you act now. Check your HVAC air filter and evaluate if it’s time for a replacement. If it is, do what’s necessary.
We also recommend that you ask an HVAC contractor, like Point Bay Fuel, to come over to your home and give your system a thorough inspection. Be sure to schedule an annual maintenance visit in the spring for your air conditioner and in the fall for your heating system. This inexpensive service helps prevent system failures and protects your wallet from paying for unexpected and expensive HVAC repairs.
Call Point Bay Fuel For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
Point Bay Fuel offers superior heating and cooling services in Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Our certified technicians can provide you with excellent HVAC services, including heating and cooling tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements. Each technician has outstanding knowledge and experience to serve your HVAC system needs correctly, the first time around.
Point Bay Fuel guarantees to provide the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area. Our maintenance services ensure to improve your comfort, increase your system’s energy efficiency, and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
Need your system repaired or replaced? We’ll recommend the best solution that works well within your budget. The best part is, all our work is backed with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction.
If you wish to schedule a service appointment, give us a call today!
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!