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What Happens When You Don't Change Your AC Filter?

Cousins Air

There are a lot of things you wouldn’t just stop doing, like neglecting to check the mail or pay bills. Not cleaning or changing your AC filter can cause quite a few issues, but many people do not incorporate this into their regular routine.

We do not recommend putting off changing an air conditioning filter for several reasons.

What Is the Function of Your AC Filter?

Contrary to popular belief, the primary function of the filter is not to purify the air. It can trap some dust; however, a standard part is not fine enough to capture tiny particulates such as pollen and allergens. Fine mesh high energy particulate air (HEPA) filters are the only types of filters that can catch these and mold spores.

What Can Occur If You Don't Change Your Air Conditioner Filter?

Whether you have a standard air filter or higher grade one, not changing the filter can cause the following problems in your South Florida home:

  • Disrupted air flow: Not changing air conditioning filter components doesn’t necessarily add more dust and contaminants to the air, but these can accumulate in the blower fans and air ducts. This can restrict the amount of space available for air to pass through. Air conditioner performance will decrease over time and eventually, the unit may fail altogether.
  • Lack of cooling: Particles and dirt on the cooling coils can affect the air conditioner's performance. Frost buildup on coils, fans, and other parts prevent the system from providing the expected level of cooling. With simple AC maintenance, these types of problems can be avoided, but not tending to the issue will eventually warrant a major AC repair.
  • Higher bills: Contamination from a dirty air filter will cause your air conditioning system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This extra work will increase power demand, ultimately leading to higher energy bills.
  • AC damage: Dust and other contaminants can strain other parts of your AC, potentially shortening the operating life of an HVAC system by 5-10 years. Yes, changing an air filter regularly can increase its life by that long. Expensive part replacements are also almost always caused by a clogged air filter.
  • Moisture and mold: Even high-quality HEPA filters need to be cleaned and replaced. If not, moisture can accumulate in the duct system and moisture is where mold thrives. If the ducts become too moist, mold infestations can result. The mold can spread very quickly throughout a building, along with pollen and germs, potentially making residents, employees, and other occupants very sick.

Future Proof Your AC - Schedule Regular Maintenance

AC filter problems are therefore not just about getting cool air. You can avoid problems by scheduling maintenance regularly. Cousin's Air recommends filter changes on a monthly basis. If several months have gone by since the last filter change, contact us to inspect your air conditioning system and filtration, so performance and indoor air quality can be improved.

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