What Happens with Clogged Air Filters?
Many times, when your heating and cooling system isn’t working correctly, it means that your air filter is clogged. The dust, dander, and debris they pick up from inside your home can restrict the airflow, forcing your system to use more energy to heat or cool the house.
It is important for homeowners to keep their air filters clean, especially with humid Pittsburgh summers and bitterly cold winters, to ensure their furnace system is protected from damage or failure. You may be wondering how something as simple as an air filter can have such a significant impact on equipment life, energy consumption, and air quality.
To understand the impact of air filters, it is essential to know how your furnace system works.
How Your Furnace System Works
The most conventional heating and cooling system is a forced-air system. This type of system works by using a heat exchange to either heat or cool incoming air. This air then travels through the ducts into the rooms of your home. As this air is blown into each room, the system also pulls the existing air in the room into the return ducts to the heat exchange where it is heated or cooled.
The Effects of a Clogged Air Filter
A clogged air filter forces your air handler to work harder to compensate for the blocked airflow. This will not only raise your utility bill, but it can also cause the heat exchanger to overheat and shut off quickly. This will prevent your home from being warmed up. This can also cause your electronic limit switch safeguard to fail, disabling the furnace.
Signs Your Air Filter Is Clogged
Inadequate Heating and Cooling
The blower fans in your furnace system are what push air through the filter. When your filter is clogged with dirt and debris, it causes the blower to work harder to push the air through the filter. With a reduction in the airflow, you will experience hot or cold spots in the home, and you will notice that the system is unable to reach your desired indoor temperature.
Increased Utility Bill
Your heating and cooling system’s blower fan has a significant impact on the performance of your system. The more your blower fan strains, the more energy it will consume, raising your home’s energy bills. As the air filter becomes more and more clogged, the performance of your system will continue to decline until the clogged filter is replaced.
Furnace Failure
A clogged filter is the most common cause of furnace failure. When a clogged filter is left in a system, it can result in internal damage within your heating and cooling system, which results in the system failing. When the blower is overworked, it can give out completely, causing the rest of the system to fail. Furnace or AC repair can cost Pittsburgh homeowners thousands of dollars, so be sure to maintain your air filter properly.
Unhealthy Air
If your air filter is clogged with dust, dander, and debris, it will allow these allergens and debris to circulated back into your home. This can cause issues for those who have asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Be sure to check your air filter and replace it when necessary to ensure your indoor air quality is safe and healthy got you and your family.
Professional Heating and Cooling Service Pittsburgh
At Restano Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best in heating and cooling repair. Whether you need your air filter replaced or need your system repaired due to a clogged air filter, we can help. From replacement parts to air filters, Pittsburgh homeowners can rely on Restano, Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing to keep their heating and cooling system performing efficiently.
Contact us today to learn more!
