A clean air filter is off-white in color and will have no dirt or debris caught in its folds. A dirty air filter, on the other hand, will appear gray or brown in color and you'll likely be able to see dirt trapped between the layers of fabric. This dirt is getting in the way of the flow of oxygen to the engine.
The filter looks dirty: This is simple but effective – look at your air filter. If it looks dirty, dusty, or has clumps of hair and dust, it's time to change it.
The best way to know if the air filter needs replacement is via visual inspection. Locate the air filter housing (typically a rectangular box near the engine), open it, and look at it. The filter material should be almost white. If it's dirty, clogged, or covered in debris, it's time to replace it.
Visible dust around your vents can indicate that your air filter is breaking down and releasing particulate materials into your HVAC system. This can be confirmed by pulling out your filter and taking a look at it. If it is coated with dust or is beginning to disintegrate, it's time to replace this important component.
Discoloration: If your filter appears yellow or gray, it's a clear sign that it's time for a replacement. Visible dirt and dust buildup: If you can physically see a significant amount of dirt and dust on the filter, it's time to swap it out.
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.
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.
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.
Poor Air Quality
If the filter is too dirty to do its job, those unwanted particles can collect in your ductwork and cling to the internal components of your HVAC system, ultimately diminishing air quality throughout your house.
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!
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.
If you are noticing rough idling, hard starts, or a misfiring engine, they all could be signs that the air filter is dirty and clogged. When there is not enough air getting to the engine, that means the air to fuel ratio is imbalanced. You will have too much fuel and not enough oxygen.
Unkempt air filters may negatively affect indoor air quality by spreading pet dander, dust, and other allergens throughout your home. This may lead to irritated eyes, nose, and potentially breathing problems.
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.
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.
There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might be running but not cooling. It could be an issue with the thermostat, the compressor, or the evaporator coils. Or, it could simply be clogged with dust and debris, which is preventing it from working properly.
To clean the coils, spray the fins on the inside of the unit with an A/C coil cleaner, following the manufacturer's instructions. To remove the cleaning detergent, spray with a hose to push the cleaner through the fins to the outside of the unit. Don't use a pressure washer — the force of the water can damage the fins.
The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short period of time. However, doing so for longer than 6-8 hours can hurt your system and decrease your home's indoor air quality.