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.
You're leaving your thermostat fan set to ON
There are 2 options when it comes to your AC fan: AUTO and ON. When you set your fan to ON, it runs 24/7. And when the air in your home circulates through your filter and AC system non-stop, it's going to pick up dirt and air contaminants at a much faster rate.
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?
Contaminants in the Air: High levels of dust and debris put a strain on your unit, making your filters clog faster. An increase in the number of people in your home can also increase the amount of dirt being kicked up into your system.
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.
You might notice that your air purifier gets dirty fast because it's absorbing a lot of dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander from your home. This could mean that your indoor air quality is bad and requires fixing, but it could also mean that it is functioning properly.
When the air filter becomes clogged with dust, dirt, and debris, it restricts the airflow passing through the system. This restriction causes the AC unit to work harder, leading to decreased efficiency and reduced cooling capacity. Restricted airflow can even cause the coils to freeze in your outdoor or window unit.
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.
For most homeowners, black air filters aren't a cause for panic. They simply mean that you need to increase the frequency that you change your air filters, and that the filter is doing its job.
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.
If you see any build up or dust on the air conditioner filter, it's time to clean it. If your central air filter shows no signs of grime buildup, you can use the hose attachment from your vacuum cleaner or use a handheld vacuum to remove any debris.
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.
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.
When you leave an AC unit's air filter clogged for too long, you can experience a failure of the entire system. This is because the unit can only work for so long at twice the power before it finally breaks down.
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.
Reusable filters can be washed and replaced. However, the disposable filters you use in your HVAC system aren't made to shed water after they get wet. The moisture the filter retains can encourage mold growth over time, and your HVAC system might spread the mold spores throughout the rest of your home.
After replacing the filter, you should wait at least 12 hours before running the system. If the AC is still not blowing cold air, it could signify that you have a refrigerant leak, a damaged condenser, or your entire mechanical system needs maintenance.
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.
That's a natural effect of the return air vent sucking air to supply the furnace with new air to heat or cool. A buildup of dirt on your home's return vents means that dirt will be pulled directly into the ducts by the blower motor fan, attaching itself to the filter.
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.
While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
Regularly replacing filters and ensuring adequate airflow throughout the room will help reduce dust levels. Additionally, choosing an air purifier with higher CADR ratings for your space size may be necessary to effectively remove particles from the air.
Check it regularly: Once per month, take a minute to check your air filter. Dirty air filters are not hard to spot — if you can see debris and grime, it's time for a new one.
Many people think that switching it off during the night or when they're not present is a logical energy-saving measure, but it is recommended to keep it running constantly. Once you turn off your air purifier, the air quickly becomes contaminated again with mold, dust, dander, and other pollutants present in the air.