Life gets busy in the springtime, and it can be easy to put off the little things like changing your air filter and doing some routine maintenance on your cooling unit. But, if you arenāt careful and let your filter get dirty, you can have some pretty serious (and expensive) problems in the future. Beyond the cost of these problems, you’ll also find that health issues can arise from dirty air filters. Here are a few things you need to know about your air filter and why you should keep up with that simple task on your calendar.
Clean air filters prevent allergen buildup
When you have a filter that is dirty, then everything beyond it will be dirty as well, and this includes the air in your home. An air filter that isnāt cleaned or replaced on a routine basis will cause allergens to build up in your ductwork and settle. These can actually remain there for months, and every time your heating and cooling system kicks on and blows air, you will send pollen, dirt, dust, and everything in between into the air you breathe.
If someone in your home has asthma or bad allergies, then a clean filter will be a proactive measure that can be taken to ensure they don’t worsen the condition. Poor air quality from a dirty filter can also impact people that don’t have a health reaction to dust and pollen. If you start to get headaches, see signs of allergies when you generally don’t get them, or have a hard time shaking illnesses like a common cold, then give your air filter a check because it may be time to have your ducts inspected and set reminders for HVAC maintenance.
Dirty filters decrease the efficiency of AC units
When youāve invested in an AC system, of course, you want it to stay as efficient as possible so that you can enjoy the comfort of your home for years without major repairs. Air filters play a significant role in the how efficient your AC unit runs, and when dirt and dust build up, some serious issues to develop. Plus, you can waste a lot of unnecessary energy (that you will pay for on your monthly bill) when your cooling system isnāt performing as it should due to a clogged filter.