Dirty air filters can have a significant impact on the environment, both inside and outside of your home. When filters become clogged with dust, dander, and debris, they can cause your HVAC system to work harder and consume more energy. This can lead to a shorter lifespan for your equipment, as well as hot and cold air spots in your home. In addition, dirty air filters can cause indoor air pollution, leading to allergies and asthma.
The frequency with which you operate the heating or air conditioning in your home can also affect how quickly the air filter becomes dirty. If your home is well-sealed and dust-prone furniture such as carpets and cloth-covered furniture are present, then the air filters will have fewer airborne particles. Air filters work by taking dirty air from the house and passing it through some type of filter medium. Pleated filters made of disposable nonwoven fabric have smaller pores and the pleats increase the surface area of the filter so that it can contain more particles than a flat surface.
However, if the filter becomes too clogged with dust, dander and debris, then the blower has to work harder to get air through the blocked filter. Particulate capture efficiency increases as the filter becomes dirty; buildup in the fibers reduces the openings through which air passes and allows the filter to capture more particles. Dirty air filters keep your air conditioner running at a lower efficiency, which means it doesn't cool your home as well as it should and can end up costing you more money in the long run. To clean the air filter, simply remove it from your oven, remove dirt, and thoroughly clean it by running it in warm water.
In conclusion, dirty air filters can have a negative impact on both your home environment and the environment outside of your home. They can cause your HVAC system to work harder and consume more energy, leading to a shorter lifespan for your equipment. In addition, they can cause indoor air pollution, leading to allergies and asthma. To prevent these issues from occurring, make sure to regularly clean or replace your air filters.
