If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think too much about your air filter. It’s just one of those things that’s out of sight, out of mind, right?
Well, not exactly. In fact, neglecting to change your air filter regularly can lead to a whole host of problems for your heating and cooling system, your home, and even your health. So what exactly happens when you don’t change your air filter? Let’s find out!
Your system has to work harder
First and foremost, a dirty air filter makes your HVAC system work harder than it needs to. You see, the filter’s job is to trap dust, dirt, and other airborne particles before they can enter your system. But when the filter gets clogged, your system has to push air harder to get through, which puts extra strain on the blower motor and other components. Over time, this can lead to increased wear and tear, reduced efficiency, and even premature breakdowns.
Your energy bills go up
All that extra work your system has to do when the filter is dirty? Yeah, that shows up on your energy bills. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that a dirty filter can increase your energy consumption by as much as 15%! That’s because your system has to run longer and work harder to maintain the desired temperature in your home, which means it’s using more electricity or gas than it would with a clean filter.
Your indoor air quality suffers
Another big problem with not changing your air filter is that it can really tank your indoor air quality. When the filter gets clogged, it can’t trap airborne contaminants as effectively, which means more dust, pollen, pet dander, and other icky stuff ends up circulating through your home. This can be especially problematic for people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues, as it can trigger symptoms and make it harder to breathe.
Your home gets dirtier
Speaking of all that dust and dirt circulating through your home, guess where it ends up? Yep, on your furniture, floors, and every other surface in your house. When your air filter is dirty, it can’t keep these particles out of your living space, which means you’ll find yourself dusting and vacuuming a lot more often than you’d like. And let’s be real, who wants to spend their weekends cleaning when they could be relaxing?
You risk costly repairs
Neglecting to change your air filter can lead to some pretty pricey repairs down the line. Remember all that extra wear and tear on your system? Well, over time, that can cause components like the blower motor, compressor, or even the heat exchanger to fail prematurely. And those are not cheap fixes. In fact, in some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire system than to repair the damaged components.
So, there you have it – a rundown of all the nasty stuff that can happen when you don’t change your air filter. But the good news is, it’s a super easy problem to avoid. Just set a reminder to check your filter every month, and replace it when it starts to look dirty. Your system, your home, and your lungs will thank you.
Have any questions or need help from the experts at Air Repair Pros? Contact us today or give us a call at 469-333-2474!
