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Do you replace your air filters only because they look dirty? The recommendation has been standard to replace your HVAC filter every quarter. This is roughly every four months unless you check, and the filter is visibly dirty and full. Most people believe that this is to prevent air contaminants from entering their air. And while this is true, it is not the only reason. Dirty filters can contaminate your air, as well as damage your entire HVAC system. When a filter has become full, the contaminants no longer get trapped. The dirt, pollen, allergens, and other pollutants are free through your ventilation system. When this occurs, two devastating events occur. The first event is your air quality decreases, and asthma and allergy symptoms rise. Secondly, damage comes from contaminants pummeling your HVAC system or jamming the fan.
Air Quality Decrease
For many residents in the Southwest Florida area, asthma and allergies are a health issue. Often, the climate in Florida is what brought them to move here to help ease these symptoms. The allergen count in Southwest Florida is fewer than other areas of the country. However, they are still present.
When dirt, mold spores, and allergens come in contact with your HVAC system, the filter traps them. If a filter replacement is not timely, contaminants will flow through your indoor air. Allergy symptoms will arise, such as coughing, sneezing, and headaches. And asthmatics may experience flare-ups and trouble breathing. Individuals without regular allergy symptoms may feel the effects as well. When you inhale these contaminants, the respiratory and immune systems activate. Indoor air quality is vital for everyone’s well-being.
For the health and safety of those who reside in or visit, be sure to change filters on time.
Another way to decrease contaminants and increase air quality is a UV system. Chill Squad offers Ultra Violet (UV) HVAC systems that increase your air quality. The UV light within the system will eliminate more contaminants than a filter alone. Cooking odors, aerosols, perfumes, and residual cleaning chemicals are a few to name. Enquire today on our website or call our trained staff for more information.
Comfortability Decreases In The Home
When a dirty filter is present, there are a plethora of issues that may arise. Comfortability in the house will be one of the first noticeable signs.
A filter is what lies between the indoor air intake and the HVAC system. A dirty filter prevents the proper amount of air from traveling into this cooling system. When this occurs, your house will have unevenly distributed temperatures. Air is unable to be evenly sent through your ventilation. Meaning warm air may still linger in the home, unable to make it into the system, while some cold air circulated. Your home temperature may also not match your thermostat reading.
Increase In Energy Bills
The air conditioning unit of a house runs on electricity. The fan is the main component for electric usage. A running fan helps with warm air intake to the cooling coils. When a dirty, clogged filter limits the amount of air entering the system, the fan must work harder. The harder a fan works, the more electricity it is using. Your energy bills will exponentially increase to keep up with cooling the house down.
HVAC System Damage
When filter replacements aren’t timely, damage to the HVAC system can become irreversible. It is essential to note that “on time” does not refer to each quarter, but also if the filter is visibly dirty. Periodically checking your HVAC filter will help extend the life of your HVAC system.
Shortened Life Span
The air filters are the first line and only line of defense for your HVAC system. When your air conditioner cycles, its programming allows it to take in a certain amount of air each time. When a filter is full, the amount of air able to get through the filter is less than average. This issue means your air conditioning unit must work harder than usual. The extra work it takes to bring in the desired amount of air to cycle puts a toll on your system. Wear and tear begin on each component, which can cause complete failure or need for repairs. Should you notice your filter is full and, your HVAC unit is not working as it should call us. Chill Squad offers HVAC maintenance you can trust at a price that you can’t beat!
System Leaks
When your air conditioning unit cools your house, it absorbs the heat from the air it takes from in your home. That warm air runs through the filter and over the cooling coils. The cooling coils have refrigerant that cools the warm air down as it passes over the coils. When the air filter is full of contaminants, the amount of air able to move through is less than desired. Should a lesser amount of air pass over the coils, they may freeze over.
If you change the filter and begin the process again, warm air will cause influx to the coils. This increase in warm air will warm the frozen coils causing the ice to melt. Your HVAC system is now leaking this water, which causes more problems. The excess water is a significant contributor to mold growth within your AC unit. The mold spores can travel through your ventilation and cause illness to residents. Removing the ice on your own can damage the system further, be sure to contact a professional for help. The leak can also cause property and water damage that requires a professional.
Leaky HVAC systems can also be a sign that there is another underlying issue within your AC unit. Contact Chill Squad for your Southwest Floridian HVAC, to help with proper maintenance.
Chill Squad can inspect, replace, or maintain any systems you have in your home or office at the time of your call. Our staff is knowledgeable about each aspect of the system and will help in any way we can. Our technicians also follow education for the systems working in our Florida climate. We know these systems work overtime in our heat, so trust us to give you the best service possible! And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for our latest offers!