Fall has officially arrived! Before you know it, apples will be a regular topic of conversation, warm sweaters will follow you everywhere you go, and pumpkin spice will take over every coffee shop in town! Of course, though, the arrival of fall comes with the arrival of chilly temperatures, meaning you’ll be turning on that heater sometime soon!
One way to ensure that you get the most out of your heater this season is by making sure you change out your air filter on a regular basis. Below, we have explained exactly what an air filter does and what could happen if you do not make changing it a regular habit. All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more (and of course, remember to schedule your HVAC service in Grand Rapids with our team!)
What is an Air Filter?
There is a lot of debris that circulates throughout the home and ultimately ends up in the ductwork. If the debris enters your forced-air heater, it has the potential to cause some significant damage. The air filter exists to prevent dirt and debris from entering the heater itself. You see, when air blows through the filter, the dirt is trapped.
The reason we change our filters is that they are unable to rid themselves of the particles they collect. If they become too clogged, airflow in and out of the heater is restricted, thus causing problems. Be sure to change your air filter every 1-3 months during the heating season!
What Can Happen if I Don’t Change My Filter?
There are a few consequences to forgetting to change your filter including the following:
Decreased Efficiency
When your heater struggles to circulate air throughout your home, it becomes significantly less efficient. A dirty filter is going to create more airflow resistance than is normal.
In addition, a dirty air filter can cause your system to short cycle. This is an industry term that describes when your heater keeps turning itself on and off over and over throughout the day. When airflow is restricted, heat becomes trapped. This causes the internal temperature of the furnace to rise, which activates the limit switch. When your system is constantly turning off, it decreases the overall efficiency and will cause your heating bill to skyrocket.
Increased Repair Needs
When your system has to work harder than it normally does, there is an increased risk of wear and tear. This will lead to operational problems and eventually a breakdown. Obviously, you do not want to be stuck dealing with costly repairs and untimely replacements! Changing your air filter is simple and easy…dealing with a full system breakdown is not.
Decreased Indoor Air Quality
Although the air filter is ultimately put in place to protect your heater, it does have some positive impacts on your health. When the air filter is very dirty, air may be forced around the filter, and when this happens, it will be distributed into your house! This, in turn, decreases your indoor air quality and can lead to some pretty significant health issues for you and your family.
Schedule your heating services with the team at GRmetro Heating & Cooling.
