If you're unsure about whether the air filter is clogged, hold it up to a light source. If the filter is still in good condition, light should shine through. If the filter is dirty or clogged with debris, the light will be obstructed, indicating it's time for a replacement.
The symptoms of a dirty air filter include weak airflow, higher energy bills, uneven heating or cooling, and increased dust or allergens in your home.
A dirty air filter is gross – often coated in gray or tan filth that may flake or fall off when disturbed. If it looks like this, it's time to replace your filter.
They can make your family sick:
Your family may suffer upper respiratory infections if they experience coughing, headaches, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throats, runny noses, and low fevers due to dirty air-conditioning filters.
If you don't change your air filter, it can quickly become clogged with dust and debris, preventing proper air filtration. This leads to a variety of issues for your HVAC system including system inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and ultimately failure.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Dirty
Visible mould, dirt or debris on the external vents. Poor airflow even on high fan speeds. Large amounts of dust on the surface of the unit.
While an air conditioner should normally cycle on when it senses an increase in temperature, and off when it has sufficiently cooled the room off, short cycles can occur when you have a dirty air filter.
If the condenser is not clean and properly allowing air to flow through, it could burn out. Air conditioners with dirty or blocked condensers do not operate efficiently. A congested condensate drain line can even cause water damage.
Air conditioner filters become worn or damaged over time and need to be replaced. To check for signs of damage, turn your unit off and remove the central AC filter while wearing your rubber gloves. If your air filter shows signs of damage, like tears, holes or excessive grime, it's time to replace it.
Dirty Air Filter Symptoms
When your vehicle's air filter needs to be changed, you may experience your vehicle running roughly. Engine misfires and violent vibrations can be caused by an air filter that is dirty and clogged.
No, you should never run your AC without a filter!
While your HVAC unit will run, it should never run without an air filter. Dirt is the number one cause of air conditioners breaking down, so running your unit without an installed air filters can cause serious damage.
How Often Do I Need to Change Out My Air 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.
It Looks Dirty
Every so often, you should take your HVAC system's air filter out and see what it looks like. If it's coated in dirt, dust, and other debris, that will be another sign that you have a dirty air filter on your hands.
Filters with a MERV rating of 1 to 7 typically cost between $5 and $20. Filters with ratings of 8 to 13 can cost anywhere from $20 to $150. HVAC systems in residential homes usually don't need (and often cannot handle) filters with a MERV rating of more than 13.
Clogged filters will not properly filter debris from entering the system, damaging internal components. They also cause accelerated wear and tear of parts such as the blower motor, fans, and compressor.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
You might wonder about the risks of running your AC without a filter, even temporarily. The simple answer is: not for long. Ideally, your AC should never operate without a filter for more than 6-8 hours. Going beyond this can negatively affect both your system's health and your home's air quality.
Get Your AC Coils Cleaned
Get your coils cleaned annually. If you live in an area where your AC unit is exposed to excessive amounts of dirt, dust, debris, or moisture, it is best to regularly clean your coils every three months or so. Every AC unit and environment is different.
A product like Air Conditioning Coil Cleaner removes counterproductive dirt and oxidation on air conditioning coils. When fins and coils are clean, air circulates more fully and AC systems operate and cool more efficiently, reducing the unit's power consumption.
Is my AC not working because of the filter? Potentially, yes. While there are a whole host of issues that could cause problems with your air conditioning system, a dirty air filter should be the first thing to check if your central air conditioning unit isn't working as properly as it should.
Cleaning the air filter not only does not improve, but also deteriorates its filtration properties. Only periodical replacement of the filter with a new one can provide efficient filtration of the air entering directly into the combustion chamber of the engine.