Unless you’re an HVAC expert, you may not know the importance of a clean air filter. However, one of the biggest sources of a system complication or failure is a clogged air filter. Air filters act as a barrier to prevent contaminants and other particles from circulating in the air, and they are extremely important to the health of your HVAC system. Therefore, failing to change them on a regular schedule can have serious consequences. Our team at Allied Services, Inc. has put together a list of things that can happen if you fail to replace your air filter.

The Importance of Changing Your Air Filter

1. Higher Energy Bills and Poor Temperature Regulation

When air filters are not consistently changed, they get clogged by the buildup of particles and contaminants that are trapped by the filter. This buildup creates an almost impenetrable barrier, such that the air cannot flow through easily. This causes the whole system to work harder to distribute heat or air where it is needed. This increases your utility bills, since the system will have to run longer to achieve the desired temperature. This means that rooms may be too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer.

2. Health Concerns

Another consequence of a clogged air filter is that it cannot trap contaminants as it did before. Therefore, the pollutants that should be trapped in the filter remain in the air that your family is breathing. This can lead to headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and dizziness. If the air filters are not changed regularly, the long-term effects could be respiratory diseases, heart disease, or even cancer.

3. Damaged Coils

Inside your HVAC system there are evaporative coils, which help remove heat from the air to keep your home cool. When these coils are overworked because the air isn’t flowing correctly, they can freeze up and lead to total system failure. This issue is much more expensive to fix compared to simply purchasing a new air filter every few months.

Protect your HVAC system and your wallet by replacing your air filter on a regular schedule. For more information on HVAC maintenance, contact Allied Services today at (937) 269-5059. We proudly serving the Dayton, OH, area, and we can’t wait to work with you!