Forgetting to change the air filter in your HVAC system on a regular basis is a common problem among homeowners. It’s an easy task to forget about, quite honestly, because it’s not something you’re looking at on a daily basis. However, not changing the air filter regularly can have serious consequences on your furnace and/or air conditioning unit, not to mention how it can negatively affect the indoor air quality of your home.

5 Reasons You Have a Dirty Air Filter

There are a variety of reasons your air filter can get clogged up quickly, making it necessary to replace it at least every three months. These reasons include:

1. Contaminants in the air in your home. Obviously, the air filter’s purpose is to keep your home free of as many contaminants as possible, but sometimes it becomes difficult to keep up. For instance, if you have furry, shedding pets. Fur and dander is constantly floating through the air, and your filter works hard to trap as much of it as it can. Or, perhaps you’ve been putting off giving your home a good dusting and vacuuming, or you’re working on a home remodeling project, so there are extra contaminants in the air.
2. Extreme weather conditions. When your system is running more often than normal, such as during frigid winters or hot, humid summers, your air filter gets clogged up faster. This is because the more your system runs, the more air there is flowing through your home, and the more contaminants, too.
3. Choosing a lower-quality air filter. It can be tempting to purchase a cheap filter for just a few bucks, but if you aren’t swapping it out monthly, you’ll notice it will get dirty much faster than a high quality filter. A standard fiberglass filter definitely needs to be changed every 30 days, unlike a thicker, pleated filter that can last 60-90 days.
4. Dirty or dusty vents and/or ducts. Check around the vents in your home; you might notice there’s more dirt or dust buildup near them than other areas. This is a common occurrence in many homes, but this buildup will go directly into the ducts, and ultimately collect in your air filter.
5. You keep the fan running constantly. If you keep the fan on your thermostat set to “on” all the time, this means that fan is running all the time, even when your furnace or air conditioning isn’t on. While this keeps the air flowing through your home, the filter is catching contaminants all the time, too. It’s recommended to keep the fan set in the “auto” mode, so it only runs when it’s necessary. This will also help save on your energy bills, too.

If you have any questions about replacing the air filter or your HVAC system in general, the team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.