Consequences of Not Changing Your Air Filter on Time

There are a lot of things that can go wrong if you don’t replace the AC filter in time. You may find it hard to believe that a small part like this could make a big difference in comfort and air quality, but it does. Cleaning an air conditioner is the same as cleaning the rest of your Bay Area house or business. You may end up with severe negative consequences if you ignore it for more than a month.

Buildup on Ductwork and Blower Fans

Air filters are not designed for screening the air forever. They will fill up with captured dirt and dust eventually. You should change the air filter or clean it depending on the system. Paper filters are disposable with paper screens and cardboard frames. Sturdier filters can be reused. They are usually with metal frames and can be cleaned as per manufacturer instructions.

Your air conditioner may begin to fail if you don’t change the air filter as intended. The filter will also let contaminants and dust get into the AC. Moving parts of an AC get jammed with dust. This includes the fan motors and valves. Strain is created on the system with restricted airflow. More power will be drawn by the HVAC system making it less efficient. This may also lead to more frequent breakdowns. You can save up to 15% on utilities every month if you change the filter as intended during peak season.

Mold Contamination and Moisture

Other contaminants entering the dirty system are other effects to worry about. HEPA is the only type of filter that catches spores and allergens. These are made from a fine mesh as compared to other filters, which allows for tiny particles to be screened. HEPA filters are given a MERV rating between 1 and 20 depending on their efficiency/ They can catch pollen, allergens, dander and mold spores.

You should note that every system is not built for higher efficiency filters. Also, if you have a higher efficiency filter that gets dirty because you failed to change it, it may result in a buildup of moisture. This can cause mold accumulation in the ducts, causing serious mold infestations.

Your AC filters filter the air in your space at least 5 – 7 times a day. This is a lot of circulation for a small filter. Germs, mold, and pollen can quickly spread through the building using ductwork if you are not careful about keeping things clean.

Wear and Tear in the Air Conditioner

The problem of dirty air filters will get worse over time if you continue to ignore it. Filters may stop functioning as they should. Dust in the ductwork will degrade moving parts and make the air conditioner draw more power or run slower. Eventually, the mechanical components of the air conditioner will wear down.

The average lifespan of an HVAC unit is 15 – 20 years. This life may get shortened by 5 – 10 years without changing the AC filter regularly. You may need to replace various parts of the air conditioner as well, which can become expensive. It is way cheaper to replace filters if compared with the greater cost of having large repairs performed. In fact, you may need to replace your air conditioner if you are not careful.