AC Not Running Right? 4 Problems A Dirty Filter May Cause
Posted on: 7 July 2016
If you can't remember the last time you changed the filter in your house, you might be doing more harm than you thought. The filter does more than just catch dirt and pollutants. It actually helps your air conditioner work more efficiently. To keep your system working properly, you should be changing your filter at least once every three months – If you live in an area that's prone to dust storms, you should change your filter once a month. Here are four problems that you might experience when your filter gets clogged with dirt.
Energy Usage Increases
For your air conditioner to work properly, there must be constant airflow. The blower relies on that airflow to keep air circulating through your house. When the filter is clogged, the air can't get through the way it should. When the airflow is blocked, your air conditioner has to work even harder to cool you down. That extra work can result in an increase of between 5% and 15% more energy usage.
Evaporator Coils Can Freeze
While your air conditioner is on, condensation is building up on the coils. The air that flows through and removes the condensation. When the filter is clogged, your air conditioner can't generate enough air to remove the condensation. If that happens, the condensation remains on the coils and freezes. As a result, the coils also freeze. When the coils freeze, your air conditioner can malfunction.
Air Becomes Unhealthy to Breathe
If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other breathing-related illnesses, you need clean air to breathe. Unfortunately, if the filter on your air conditioner is clogged, the air that you're breathing isn't as healthy as it should be. That's because a clean filter is able to remove the harmful particulates before they can flow through to your home. If the filter is dirty, you may experience an increase in the symptoms associated with your breathing-related health issues.
Airflow is Diminished
If you have a clogged filter, you may notice that the air flow through your vents isn't as strong as it used to be. That's because the air can't get through the dirt and debris that's clogging your filter. Once you install a new filter, the airflow through the vents should increase.
If you haven't changed the filter in your home for a few months, you should do that now. A dirty filter can cause serious problems for your air conditioner. Check out the site for more.
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