How Will Dirty Air Filters Impact My HVAC System?

Dirty air filters can significantly degrade the performance of an HVAC system. They not only cause systems to run inefficiently, increasing energy costs, but they can lead to system damage as well. At Comfort By Design, our HVAC professionals are here to help you with your heating and cooling services needs, including repair, maintenance, and installation.

A dirty or clogged air filter can negatively affect your HVAC system by:

Damaging the Air Handler Motor

A dirty filter will block air flow into the air handle of your HVAC system. This constricted air flow puts added strain on the air handler motor and has the potential to overheat the motor and cause it to fail. It makes the motor work harder and eat up more energy. Simply replacing the air filter before it becomes so dirty and clogged will prevent this issue.

Making Your Ducts Dirty Faster

Air ducts get filled with debris faster when a dirty and clogged air filter is left in place. Instead of catching elements such as dirt, dust, pet dander, and pollen, a clogged air filter can spread them into the ducts and then into the home. A dirty air filter will also restrict system airflow, causing it to overwork. If the system wears out, it may need to be replaced sooner than normal.

Coating the Cooling Coils With Debris

An air filter packed with various debris can cause the cooling coils to also be caked with particles that the air filter would normally capture. This can cause the system to work harder and potentially burn out or freeze over.

With airflow into your HVAC system restricted because of a clogged air filter, the system is more prone to wearing out and breaking down due to the strain. The efficiency of the system depends on free flowing air and when this is restricted, it puts an undue burden on system components, degrading performance and efficiency.

For information about the heating and cooling system services and products we offer at Comfort By Design, give our team a call today at 719.374.1776 or use our contact form to send us a message.