Believe it or not, yes—yes it is. The air filter in your air conditioning system is much more than a “minor” component that you can just forget about. The air filter may not be a complex mechanical device, but this does not change the fact that it has an important job to do, and that it is doing that job whenever your air conditioner is running. It really shouldn’t come as no surprise, then, that a very dirty filter can cause a fair amount of trouble.
In fact, it can even lead to the need for air conditioning repair in Spring, TX if you let the issue persist long enough. So, today’s post is all about this deceptively simple air filter, and why you really need to keep a clean one in place. They’re cheap, readily available, and very easy to swap out when need be. Even so, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Dispelling a Common Misconception
First things first, let us clear something up for you. The air filter that is standard in forced air HVAC systems is not there to improve indoor air quality throughout your home. Instead, it is really there to protect your HVAC equipment itself. Sometimes, homeowners think that the fact that their allergies aren’t going nuts means the filter is fine. Or, they wonder why their allergies are going nuts when the filter is clean.
To remove airborne pollutants from the air throughout your home, you are going to need a more efficient, designated air filtration system. What this standard filter does is prevent pollutants from building up within the system, and collecting on vital components like the evaporator coil. That is when problems really start.
So What Kind of Problems Are We Talking About?
Quite a few, as it turns out. A primary concern with a very dirty air filter is the fact that it will increase airflow resistance throughout your system. That means that the system is going to have to work harder than it should in order to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. The harder the system works, the more it is going to cost to run that system.
Plus, the added strain put on the system can result in an increased risk of damages to the air conditioner. That extra work it’s doing can put a lot of wear and tear on the system, which is already working hard to keep you cool throughout the summer season.
And, yes, your air quality may suffer. This may not be a primary concern, as the filter is not there to boost air quality, but remember that the air conditioned by the system will seek the path of least resistance on its travels. That means that it may actually be forced around the filter if it is clogged up enough. Don’t allow something as easy to fix as a dirty air filter to have such negative consequences in your home.
Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling is here for your air conditioning service needs.