The Effects of a Dirty Air Filter on Your Cincinnati Home Are Alarming
One of the easiest ways to prolong the life of any HVAC system and make sure it continues running efficiently is to check the air filter on a regular basis and clean or replace it when necessary. The effects of a dirty air filter in your Cincinnati home can be both costly and potentially dangerous.
Effects of a Dirty Air Filter
- Reduced comfort – When the air filter is so dirty that air has trouble passing through it, heated air will have cooled or cooled air will have warmed up by the time it reaches its destination, wasting energy and reducing your comfort.
- Inefficient energy usage – A clogged air filter can cause the system to work much harder to deliver the same volume of air, resulting in large amounts of wasted energy and higher utility bills.
- Premature wear – When the system is working harder than it needs to, consumable parts such as belts, pulley and motor bearings, and the brushes in motors can fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs.
- System malfunctions – In an air conditioner, a clogged air filter can reduce the airflow in the system, freezing the evaporator coil and, if not corrected, causing compressor failure. In a furnace, a clogged filter can allow the heat exchanger to overheat, possibly causing damage to the heat exchanger or burners, and forcing the high-limit switch to cycle the furnace on and off constantly, reducing the heating efficiency.
- Poor indoor air quality – A clogged filter can’t remove airborne particles such as dust, pollen, mold spores and pet dander efficiently. This can cause breathing trouble for your family, especially those who suffer from allergies or asthma, and it could potentially cause more serious health issues, such as exposure to dangerous types of mold.
To prevent the effects of a dirty air filter, check the condition of your air filter at least once a month and clean or replace it as necessary. For more information about improving your indoor air quality, contact the experts at Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today.
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