Not replacing your air filter can have serious consequences for your home and health. A dirty filter reduces airflow to the HVAC system, making it work harder and use more energy, which costs you more money. It can also make it difficult to keep your home at the right temperature. If the air filter is clogged and can't trap contaminants like it used to, those things can go back to the air that everyone in your home breathes, leading to immediate problems such as headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and dizziness.
In the long-term, this could result in respiratory disease, heart disease, or cancer. Depending on the type of air filter you use, you will need to follow different programs to ensure that the filter is always working for optimal performance. While the filter is designed to accommodate these tiny elements, the buildup creates a nearly impenetrable barrier so that air cannot fully flow, which can ultimately cause multiple problems for the entire HVAC system. If you forget to replace your air filter for an extended period of time, there are often devastating results.
As the system tries harder to get around clogged air filters, it can cause the entire system to overwork and eventually break down. Indoor air quality suffers: When air is recirculated through a clogged filter over and over again, it won't be as clean as it could be. If you haven't changed your home's air filters lately, the next step should be to determine which filters you need and replace them as soon as possible. Every time you change your air filter, immediately set reminders on your phone to check it (or change it, if needed) after 30 days, 45 days, 60 days, and 90 days.
In the case of multiple pets, it should be replaced between one month and less than two months, especially if someone in the household has allergies. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters that are designed to filter out small bacterial, mold, and fungal particles, but your standard MERV 8-11 filters will simply block out larger particles of dust, dirt & hair. That doesn't even take into account the business you could lose if you were to close to repair or replace your air conditioner. Air filters typically have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) that determines the type and size of contaminants against which the filter will act. Some of the common things that filters block are dust, pollen, lint, mold, hair, animal fur, bacteria and more. Not replacing your air filter can have serious consequences for both your home and health.
It's important to stay on top of changing your air filter regularly in order to avoid any potential issues.
