5 Signs Your Home Air Filter Needs Replacement

Home air filters play a crucial role in improving indoor air quality. They trap and prevent dust and tiny particles from entering your indoor environment. Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook or ignore the importance of ensuring that their HVAC air filters perform optimally.

With air pollution being the cause of one in nine deaths globally, homeowners must know the right time to replace their air filters. Below are a few signs your HVAC air filter should be replaced.

1.  Visible Dust and Dirt

An air filter can function perfectly if there is a small layer of dirt on the filter surface. However, you should think of replacing the filter once dirt and other trapped contaminants start blocking the surface and filter material. Dirty air filters are the primary cause of dirty ductwork, leading to many other HVAC problems.

Accumulating dirt and dust on air filters prevents your HVAC unit from cooling your indoor environment effectively. Even a small and seemingly insignificant filter restriction caused by dirt affects the effectiveness of your cooling system. This forces the air conditioner to work harder, increasing energy bills and the frequency of AC repairs.

2.  Recurring Asthma and Allergies

Recurrent allergies and asthmatic attacks are signs that you should replace your air filters. Accumulating dust and dirt reduces the effectiveness of these filters. This means that air pollutants and other contaminants will find their way into your home, increasing the severity of asthma and allergies.

Indoor air might be polluted more than outdoor air if your filters are defunct. You should suspect a faulty air filter if you start feeling stuffy or sneezing frequently. If you suffer from known allergies, it is best to replace your air filter every one to three months.

3.  Moldy Odor

A musty or moldy odor in your home is another crucial indicator of an ineffective air filter. If you have pets in your home, you will notice that they shed their fur during summer. Fur from cats, dogs, and other animals can cause air filters to produce a musty odor. Growing mold and mildew can also produce this odor. Unfortunately, these elements will recirculate in your home if your damaged air filter isn’t replaced.

4.  Increased Energy Bills

Identifying the cause of increased energy bills might prove challenging, especially if energy bills in your home fluctuate frequently. However, you should suspect a faulty household appliance if your energy bills keep increasing. A dirty air filter might be why your electricity bills are higher than normal. Regular HVAC maintenance practices can lower your energy bills if your filters are reusable.

5.  Indoor Air Isn’t Cold Enough

HVAC efficiency depends on several factors. However, if your air conditioner isn’t cooling indoor air effectively or blowing in warm air, you should check the AC filter. A dirty filter won’t allow cool air to pass through.

Endnote

While the air filter is a simple part of the air conditioning system, it significantly affects your HVAC efficiency. Knowing the right time to replace your air filter helps you avoid these problems. Replacing your filter ensures that the system works optimally, improves indoor air quality, and reduces energy costs. Need a home air filter replacement? At Filterbuy, you can look at our HVAC filters