Forced air heating systems, such as furnaces and heat pumps, are certainly among the most popular of all home heating systems in use today. There are a lot of reasons for their popularity, including the fact that they can heat homes up so quickly thanks to their method of distributing heated air throughout homes via a system of air ducts. However, there are also certain issues that can really impede the overall operational quality of a forced air heating system.
One of the most frequent contributors to problems with forced air heating systems is the air filter. More specifically, an air filter that has been left to collect more dust and dirt than it or the system at large can handle. It’s a relatively easy issue to avoid. You simply need to change the air filter out with a fresh one as needed. However, it is something that many homeowners nonetheless overlook. Here’s why you need a fresh filter in your heater in Magnolia, TX.
A Dirty Filter Is a Big Issue
For something that is so affordable and easy to replace, these standard air filters can really cause a number of big problems when they are not changed out frequently enough. These problems will ultimately wind up negatively affecting your comfort, your budget, and your heater itself. Consider the following.
- Low efficiency. The primary problem caused by a very dirty air filter has to do with increased airflow resistance. When the filter is clogged up, the heater at large is going to have to work harder than it should in order to force heated air throughout your home. That is going to cause it to use more energy, meaning that you are going to be paying more than you should have to in order to heat your residence.
- Reduced air quality. Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of these standard air filters is not really to improve the quality of air throughout your home. Instead, the filter is really there to protect the overall condition of your heater itself. It keeps dust and dirt from building up on important components in the system. If the filter is too dirty, though, unfiltered air may bypass it and that can introduce pollutants into the ductwork, eventually distributing them throughout your home.
- Performance issues. Dust and dirt building up on the coils of a heat pump or on the heating elements or in the combustion chamber of a furnace is simply going to make it harder for your furnace or heat pump to do its job. The system will struggle to generate a sufficient amount of heat effectively, short cycling may occur as the system overheats, and damage to the system may even be done over time. For just a few dollars and literally a few minutes, you can have a new filter in place that can help you to avoid all of these problems.
Don’t let a dirty air filter interfere with your comfort. Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling is here to answer any questions that you may have.