Air Filter Appears Dirty
Over time, contaminants in the air will dirty your filter and turn it brown or black. A visual inspection can be your first confirmation of a bad filter. Always examine your filter under adequate light. If it appears contaminated with dirt, dust, and debris, it could be time to clean it out.
You can usually tell a dirty HVAC filter needs to be changed just by looking at it. The filter will be gray or black and bits of debris will be visible. But you may notice other changes that indicate the furnace is not operating properly.
Decreased Acceleration and Power
One of the first signs of a clogged intake air filter is a noticeable decrease in acceleration and power. If your car feels sluggish or struggles to pick up speed, it could be due to restricted airflow caused by a dirty filter.
Over time, the air filter draws in pet dander, dust, dirt, and other contaminants. That's its job. However, if the fibers get too clogged with debris, the HVAC system can't pull air through the filter. Eventually, this can cause the system to shut down.
How does the clogging indicator work when contamination occur? If the contamination of the filter element increases, then the loss of pressure in the filter housing will rise. As soon as we reach a particular limit value, the clogging indicator indicates an imminent element replacement.
These effects can result in impurities entering the combustion chamber which can damage piston rings, bushes and cylinders. Repairing these damages repeatedly exceeds the cost of a new air filter, so it is certainly not worth taking the risk by cleaning the filter. Cleaning the air filter only improves its appearance.
A Dirty or Discolored Filter
A clean air filter is usually white or tan. Over time when dirt and grime accumulate on it, it turns dark brown or black. Always check your filter in a well-lit area. If your filter is dirtier than usual, it's time to replace it.
A clogged air filter forces your air handler to work harder to compensate for the blocked airflow. This will not only raise your utility bill, but it can also cause the heat exchanger to overheat and shut off quickly. This will prevent your home from being warmed up.
How much does it cost to replace an air filter? Replacing your car's air filter can cost anywhere from $20-$50, depending on the type of vehicle you have and the quality of filter. A high-quality filter will ensure better airflow, engine performance, and fuel economy — so it's worth investing in a reliable one!
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.
Hydraulic filter clogging indicator is a warning product designed to indicate visually and/or electrically when cleaning or changing the filter elements is necessary. The operational safety of a system and efficient utilisation of a filter element can only be guaranteed if clogging indicators are used.
Start by filling a clean bucket with water and a small amount of laundry detergent. Submerge the filter in the water and swirl it around, using your hands to aggravate dirt and dust out of the filter material. Then, remove it from the water and shake off any excess, before rinsing it under running water.
If your filter is designed to be washed, hold it under lukewarm running water to rinse away residual dust. For a deeper clean, soak the filter in a basin with warm water and a mild detergent for about 10-15 minutes. Agitate the water gently to release any embedded dirt.
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.
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.
Airflow restriction caused by a dirty filter can strain engine components and lead to poor combustion. So, what happens? Your engine compensates by using more fuel to create the same amount of power. This is not only inefficient, but it also means you will notice reduced acceleration and less horsepower.
A dirty air filter can cause your vehicle to throw a Check Engine code. During this instance, the Check Engine Light of your vehicle will turn on. The light turns on because your vehicle is sensing that its engine isn't receiving enough air.