The Danger of Not Replacing Furnace Filters
- Efficient Heating High energy bills can be caused by a dirty filter. ...
- Air Quality One of the most dangerous consequences of not changing an air filter is the polluted air that is allowed to circulate in the home. ...
- Operating Problems Along with bad air quality, there are some dangerous operating problems that can be the result of not changing the furnace filter. ...
Why does my furnace filter wear out?
Why does my furnace run more in winter?
Why do we need a filter?
How long can you go without changing furnace filter?
Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
What happens if you leave your furnace filter in too long?
If you leave your air filter in your furnace for too long, it can eventually get so dirty that the unit stops working completely. You should change your filter every month. After a while, it becomes clogged. Of course, it takes a while before a dirty filter causes the furnace to shut off completely.
Is no furnace filter better than a dirty one?
A furnace filter doesn't just purify your air, it keeps the inner mechanisms of your HVAC system functioning properly. Without a furnace filter, dirt, dander, and debris won't be cleaned out of the air, which can be bad for you and your family's health.
Will a furnace run with a dirty filter?
A clogged furnace air filter will negatively affect the airflow throughout your house and HVAC system. The lack of fresh air in your furnace will cause the heat exchanger to become too warm and deactivate. Dirty filters indirectly cause short cycling issues and will make it hard to keep your home warm.
Can dirty furnace filters cause carbon monoxide?
Your furnace filters keep harmful dust, dander, and other allergens out of your house's atmosphere. This helps mitigate asthma, COPD, and other respiratory illness symptoms. A build-up in your filters causes a spike in harmful gasses like carbon monoxide within your home atmosphere.
Can you get sick from not changing air filter?
Immediate problems, as a result, could include itchy eyes or throat, headaches, and more. If you continue on with that same air filter and the issues keep up, the long-term impacts could be grave. They include possible heart disease, respiratory illnesses, even cause cancer, experts say.
How often should I change my furnace filter in the winter?
Professionals, like our team at Airco Service, Inc. say that you should change your air filter at least every three months. During the winter, when you rely on your heating system more, you want to increase that frequency. During the winter, when the system is in constant use, change it out every month.
How do I know if my home air filter needs changing?
Your Source For All of Your Filter Needs7 Obvious Signs You Need to Change Your Air Filter at Home. 04.15.2020. ... You Can See Dirt on the Filter. ... Your Home is Dusty. ... You're Having Allergy Symptoms. ... You Notice a Strange Smell. ... Your AC Unit is Hot. ... You Fail the “White Sheet Test” ... You Can't Remember the Last Time You Did It.
Why does my furnace filter wear out?
Dirty furnace filters cause your furnace to work harder than it should due to a decrease in airflow. The harder your furnace works, the quicker its parts will wear out and need repairs. In the long run, this will shorten the life of your HVAC unit.
Why does my furnace run more in winter?
Because your furnace works harder with a dirty filter, it runs more often and for longer. This will hike up your energy costs in the winter, as your furnace struggles to keep your home warm.
Why do we need a filter?
The purpose of your filter is to catch and reduce the amount of dust, pet hair and other allergens in your home. Having air run through a dirty filter can increase, rather than reduce, these allergens and cause adverse reactions to anyone living in your home.
What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Filter?
When air filters are not consistently changed, they get clogged by the buildup of particles and contaminants that stick to the filter. While the filter is designed to accommodate these minuscule items, the buildup creates an almost impenetrable barrier so that the air cannot completely flow through, which can ultimately cause multiple problems for the entire HVAC system.
How Often Should Filters Be Changed?
Most manufacturers recommend that basic filters are changed every 30 to 60 days, but there are other circumstances that could affect that schedule.
High Energy Bills
When the filter is clogged, air cannot easily pass through the unit. That forces the furnace to work harder to disperse heat or air where it is required, which increases bills as the air circulates for longer.
Air Quality
The purpose of the furnace filter is to accommodate and prevent the amount of dust, pet hair, and other allergens in the house. Passing air through a dirty filter can increase, rather than reduce, these allergens can cause unwanted reactions in people at home.
Health Concerns
If the air filter is blocked and cannot preserve pollutants like it used to, these elements can end up in the air everyone breathes in the house. Immediate problems can include headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and dizziness.
Furnace Failure
If the furnace filter is not changed often, it will eventually become clogged to the extent that no air can pass through it. When the furnace is on, the lack of air circulation will trap heat in the unit.
Short Cycling
If the air filter is not serviced often enough, it will eventually become clogged to the point that air cannot pass through it. When the furnace is operating, the lack of air flow will trap the heat in the system.
Consequences
Prolonged short cycling causes a wide range of problems for the furnace. The output of the system drops, due to the lack of air flow. The wear and tear on the furnace increases significantly, causing more frequent breakdowns. If not corrected in time, the lifespan of the furnace could be shortened by a number of years.
Why does my furnace filter wear out?
Dirty furnace filters cause your furnace to work harder than it should due to a decrease in airflow. The harder your furnace works, the quicker its parts will wear out and need repairs. In the long run, this will shorten the life of your HVAC unit.
Why does my furnace run more in winter?
Because your furnace works harder with a dirty filter, it runs more often and for longer. This will hike up your energy costs in the winter, as your furnace struggles to keep your home warm.
Why do we need a filter?
The purpose of your filter is to catch and reduce the amount of dust, pet hair and other allergens in your home. Having air run through a dirty filter can increase, rather than reduce, these allergens and cause adverse reactions to anyone living in your home.
