The Effect of a Dirty Filter on Airflow

Writer • Jul 16, 2019

When your home’s air conditioning system starts acting up, the first thing that pops into your mind is probably, “How much is this going to cost me?” It’s reasonable to assume that a major malfunction has taken place, but take a breath and consider the smaller, more obvious things that could be the cause of the problem. For example, if the airflow through your home doesn’t seem to be circulating well or sounds like it’s struggling to get out of the vents, the issue could be with the air filter.

A clogged HVAC air filter is the top reason for most problems associated with residential air conditioners. Clogged filters cause energy efficiency problems, system breakdowns and an unhealthy indoor environment. With summer already here, it’s important to talk about just how problematic clogged air filters can be and how to avoid certain issues.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at the effects of a dirty air filter and how the resulting problems can lead to costly air conditioning repair in Kalamazoo, MI:

  • Increased energy consumption: An air filter that is too clogged with debris can restrict the airflow through the air conditioning system. This means the air handler will have to work harder to push air through the clogged filter. The harder it works, the more energy your AC will consume. You will see higher energy bills as a result.
  • Overheating components: As mentioned above, a clogged air filter will make the air handler work harder. It will have to do this in an attempt to get through the filter consumed with debris blockage. Bad news: this can cause the blower motor to overheat, and the system can fail.
  • Poor cooling: When airflow is restricted by a clogged air filter, your indoor living spaces can experience hot and cold spots in certain rooms. It’s the kind of problem that makes it difficult to cool your house down to your desired temperature levels.
  • Unhealthy indoor air: By now, you know that the air filter is in place to capture dust, dirt and other particles that can affect human health. Whether only a few spots on the filter are clogged or the entire surface is caked with debris, be aware that unfiltered air can bypass the filter and circulate throughout your home.
  • Frozen evaporator coils: The job of your air conditioning system’s evaporator coils is to absorb heat from your home’s air return. If the air filter is clogged, then it is restricting airflow. In turn, the evaporator coils can have a difficult time receiving enough heat from your home’s air, which can cause the coils to freeze over and the air conditioning unit to shut down.

Air filters tend to clog faster during the summer than in any other season, and this makes sense because you’re using your AC more, meaning the filter is capturing particles—dirt, dust, pollen and other airborne particles—at a much faster rate. To prevent clogging, check and change your filter more often in the summertime. Call All Brands Heating & Cooling anytime for excellent air conditioning repair in Kalamazoo, MI!

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