High temperatures: When the outside temperatures become extreme, your air filter might begin to experience dirt problems. This is because, during extremely hot weather, more air is pushed through the AC system by the blower motor. As a result, the filters will capture more dirt and clog faster.
Excess Amounts of Dirt and Debris – Including Soot
This is especially true if you burn candles or have a fireplace. They spread smoke and soot into the air, which can settle on the filter. If it looks as black as soot, and you really like your scented candles and lounging by the fire, it may be black because of soot.
Your filter gets clogged faster when your furnace is running more often. That's because more air is cycled through your filter when your furnace goes through more heating cycles, so more contaminants get caught on the filter's media. The colder it gets outside, the faster your filter will get clogged with dirt.
Infrequent Cleaning & Dusting
Keeping your home clean actually has a serious impact on your air filter. The more often you dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and polish various surfaces of your home, the longer your air filter will last.
Change Your Filter Frequently or Wash It
If your air filter is not disposable and is made from a plastic frame and a mesh-type material, you can clean it with soap and water and spray it with a disinfectant. Just remember to wait for it to dry after washing it as opposed to placing it inside the unit immediately.
Even if your filter appears clean, those tiny particles can still accumulate and clog it up over time. Changing your filters every 3 months is the way to maintain proper airflow, efficient operation, and great indoor air quality throughout your home.
If you notice a lot of dust in your house, it's likely due to a combination of factors affecting air quality and ventilation. Dust particles from outside can enter through open windows or doors, while indoor sources like pet dander, dead skin cells, and fibers from textiles contribute to the buildup.
The most common problem you will face with a backwards facing filter is simple inefficiency. If your furnace is forced to blow air through the non-porous end of a filter, it will take more energy to do so. The blower will be overworked and you will pay more money for your heating.
With that said, how dirty should an air filter look? A dirty engine air filter will be either completely dark brown or black. If this is the case, it's time to install a replacement.
One of the most common causes of an HVAC filter's black appearance is soot. This black substance can coat your filter, but it's actually a sign that your filter is doing its job. Soot can come from everyday household items, such as candles with long wicks or a gas water heater with an improper flame.
Your HVAC air filters trap the soot and wax in your air supply. These substances stick to the filter's surface and cover an HVAC air filter with black, waxy residue. The soot and wax produced by burning candles in your home clog the fibers of HVAC air filters. Ultimately, this prevents air from moving through properly.
Your air filter is black because of soot. This sounds scary, but, it's usually no big deal. The good news is that, if your filter is black with soot, it means it's doing its job. Better to have soot on your air filter than in your lungs, right?
Soil, sand, chemicals, and germs can enter your home from cracks in the doors and windows or from your clothes, shoes, and pets. While dusting is an easy chore to forget, a buildup of dust on surfaces can make your home look dirtier and affect your overall air quality and well-being.
For best results, plan to clean your home's HVAC air filters about once a month and replace them about every six months. Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions to determine the best way to clean your air conditioner or furnace filter, but the steps below will work for most reusable filters.
Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters are the best for containing dust, and remember that sweeping isn't nearly as effective for removing dust. If you like, you can also use any multi-surface dust spray, and finally, water when mopping the floors or cleaning the windows.
Bedrooms also get dusty because of poor air circulation and high humidity levels. Closed doors and windows or malfunctioning HVAC systems can minimize airflow and allow dust to settle around your bedroom.
The short answer is yes, most air purifiers on the market are designed to remove large dust particles from the air. Many feature mechanical filtration, which is a method of capturing pollutants on filters.
If your furnace isn't strong enough to pick up dust and pet dander in your air, then your filters will remain clean. This often occurs when you have a malfunctioning blower motor, air pressure imbalance, or obstructed ductwork.
Extreme Temperatures Temperatures outside being hotter or colder than expected can cause your system to run longer, cycling more air through your furnace or air conditioner. When more air is being pushed through the system by the blower motor man, naturally the filter is going to capture more dirt and clog faster.
Some people ask: Will changing the air filter help the A/C? When you change your air filter, you improve your home heating efficiency along with its ability to cool. When it comes to wondering, will changing the air filter make it cooler, yes.
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.
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.
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.