Are you tired of feeling like you can’t take a deep breath of fresh air in your own home? Do you find yourself constantly dusting and wondering where it all comes from? Are you scratching your head at why your heating or cooling bill is through the roof? If these situations feel familiar, it’s time to look closer at your HVAC system, as you may have dirty air filters.

With dozens of important things on a homeowners to-do list, swapping out a dirty air filter is easy to overlook. But don’t let this quick and easy maintenance task fall to the wayside and put your comfort, health, and wallet at risk. In this article, we’ll dive into how a dirty air filter can affect your heating and cooling system. We’ll also share some of our pro tips to keep your filter clean and ensure you get the most out of your HVAC system!

What Does an air filter do?

Your air filter is the unsung hero of your HVAC system. Its job is to collect all the dust, dirt, and other debris that would otherwise enter your home through your air vents.

Think about a coffee maker’s filter. It collects all the grounds that could cloud up your tasty cup of Joe. The same goes for HVAC air filters — they catch all the gunk that could otherwise build up in your heating and cooling system, reducing the strain on its components and keeping your indoor air clean.

If you’ve ever changed a dirty filter, you know exactly what we’re talking about!

Air filters also help with allergens, pet dander, and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns in size (such as mold spores, bacteria, smoke particles, and pollen). For those of you with allergies or asthma, this is especially important for your health!

So when your air filter is working its hardest to keep all of this out of your home, a dirty air filter can really put the brakes on your HVAC system’s performance…

How much does a dirty air filter affect HVAC performance?

Imagine breathing through a straw all day. That’s how your HVAC system feels when pushing air through a dirty filter. When the filter is clogged, the air can’t pass through as easily, forcing your system to work harder, using more energy, and driving up your electric bill.

A recent survey found that a shocking 29% of Americans never replace their air filter! Here are 5 performance problems this can cause:

Reduced airflow

Ever felt like one room is always too hot or cold? A dirty filter could be to blame. When the air filter is clogged, the airflow in your HVAC system is reduced. This makes it harder for the system to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This can lead to uneven or inadequate heating and cooling.

Major wear and tear

A dirty air filter restricts airflow into your air handler, causing the system to work harder than it was designed to. This leads to more wear and tear than necessary — particularly on the air handler fan motor. This extra strain can cause the motor to burn out and the entire system to overheat and fail if you let it go too long. All that means costly repairs or, in some cases, even replacing the entire system. Let’s avoid that, shall we?

Shorter lifespan

Most HVAC manufacturers offer a 10-year warranty for their equipment. And we’ve seen some residential HVAC systems last for 10-25 years and beyond!

But when the components of your HVAC system are pushed past their limits, they won’t last as they should. Even something as seemingly simple as a neglected air filter can take its toll on the longevity of your system, so don’t overlook it!

Poor efficiency

No one wants to take 15% of their money and throw it out the window — but that happens when your system’s efficiency drops due to a dirty air filter.

Heating and cooling devour almost 50% of the energy used in your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a clogged air filter in an HVAC system causes 15% more energy consumption! So this can really add up.

The harder it has to work, the less efficient it becomes — meaning more money out of your pocket and into thin air! And in the current climate of rising energy costs, this can burden your wallet.

Here are some of our best tips for improving your air conditioner’s efficiency.

Poor indoor air quality

When your air filter is clogged, it becomes a useless accessory in your air conditioning system. The dirt, debris, dust, and dander get pushed back into your home’s air, causing indoor air pollution. And this subpar indoor air quality can exacerbate respiratory problems and allergies, making life miserable!

To avoid feeling under the weather every time you’re in your home, it’s crucial to change your air filter regularly and allow it to remove pollutants from the air you breathe.

Want to breathe easier? Here are 8 natural ways to improve indoor air quality.

Preventing a dirty air filter

If you’re like most people, one thing that’s probably low on your to-do list is checking, changing, and cleaning your HVAC air filter. We get it. Life is busy – but keeping up with filter maintenance should be at the top of the priority list!

Preventing a dirty air filter is actually pretty simple and will keep your HVAC system performing at its best.

Here are 5 ways to prevent a clogged air filter:

1. Check it regularly: Once per month, take a minute to check your air filter. Dirty air filters are not hard to spot — if you can see debris and grime, it’s time for a new one.
2. Clean it regularly: If your filter is reusable, clean it as often as needed — monthly or quarterly. This could involve vacuuming the filter, soaking it in warm soapy water, and air drying it before placing it back into your HVAC system.
3. Replace it seasonally: The easiest way to prevent a dirty air filter is to replace it every 3 months. If you have pets, live in a dusty area, or have heavy traffic in your home, you might even need to replace it more frequently. On the other hand, if you have a high-efficiency filter, you may be able to wait another month or so before swapping it out.
4. Keep your home clean: Not to add more work to your already busy life, but regular dusting and vacuuming help keep your air filter from clogging. When dust and dirt accumulate on surfaces, it circulates throughout your home every time your heater or air conditioner is in use, adding more particles to the filter.
5. Upgrade your filter: If you have pets or allergies, consider upgrading your air filter to a higher-efficiency filter. These filters can trap smaller particles and improve indoor air quality.

8 signs it’s time to replace your air filter

Your air filter may not look very dirty, but it might still need to be replaced. So don’t just go off of appearances. Here are some other signs that you may need to replace your air filter:

1. Poor airflow coming out of vents
2. Increased energy bills
3. Uneven temperatures in rooms
4. Unusual noises coming from the HVAC system
5. Stale smells in your home
6. Increased utility bills
7. Poor indoor air quality
8. Frequent breakdowns

If you notice any of these signs, replacing your filter is a great first step in troubleshooting the issue. After you replace the filter, pay close attention to whatever problem you are experiencing. If it doesn’t improve, you may need to call in an HVAC professional to investigate further.

How do I choose the right air filter for my house?

If you’re standing in Home Depot scratching your head over the endless air filter options, you’re not alone! It can be overwhelming with so many sizes, types, and materials.

The best way to ensure you’re getting an air filter that’s as effective as possible is to get the manufacturer’s recommendation for your specific HVAC system. That said, there are a few tips that can help you narrow down your search:

Check your size

First, make sure that you measure your existing filter and buy one with the same dimensions. Height and width are the two most important measurements but double-check the thickness.

While shopping, you’ll find filters ranging in depth from 1-6 inches, and you might be tempted to buy the thicker option. After all, thicker means better filtration and less replacing, right?

But not all HVAC systems are designed to accommodate a thick filter, and it can actually reduce airflow or cause mechanical problems. So check your manufacturer’s specifications or stick with the same size filter you already have.

Choose your filter rating

Next up is choosing the correct MERV rating for your needs. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating measures the filter’s ability to remove particles from the air. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter is.

Here’s a simple breakdown of MERV rating effectiveness for residential HVAC systems:

• 1-4: Minimum filtration of dust and pollen
• 5-8: Better filtration of dust and pollen, as well as mold spores
• 9-12: Superior filtration of finer dust, pollen, and some bacteria
• 13-16: Excellent filtration of all airborne particles, including smoke and viruses

For a more detailed breakdown, check out this chart from the Environmental Protection Agency.

For most people, a standard MERV 8 filter is usually sufficient — it’s effective enough to remove dirt and dust from the air while still being affordable. We recommend a filter with a MERV 11 rating or higher for households with allergies or other special health needs.

But just like the depth of the filter, a higher MERV rating can impact the HVAC system’s performance if it isn’t designed to handle it. Higher ratings capture finer particles like smoke and mold but also require more energy to keep up with. So try to strike a balance between your needs and the capabilities of your system.

Consider filter materials

Air filters come in various materials, such as fiberglass mesh and pleated paper. Pleated air filters trap more particles than fiberglass but must be replaced more often.

For areas with dust and furry pets, pleated filters are worth the extra cost. But fiberglass is probably the better option if you’re on a budget and don’t need extreme filtration.

Reusable air filters are usually made of woven polypropylene and offer an eco-friendly alternative to disposables. What’s great about them is that you can vacuum or rinse the filter clean and reuse it — no more making trips to Home Depot!

Why does my HVAC filter get dirty so fast?

If you start checking your air filters more often than usual and they seem dirtier than expected, it could signal a larger problem.

One possibility is a leak in your HVAC system. A leak can allow dust and debris to get sucked into the system more quickly, resulting in a dirty filter faster than normal.

It could also be an issue with your ductwork, like disconnected, damaged, or unsealed ducts that let dirt and dust enter the air stream through gaps

A dirty air filter could also be caused by inadequate airflow due to incorrect sizing of your system or ductwork design flaws. This can cause your air filter to get dirty faster due to your HVAC system’s lack of proper circulation.

These problems can lead to inefficient performance, higher energy costs, and premature failure of your HVAC system.

To get the most out of your HVAC system and keep it running as efficiently as possible, keep up with regular maintenance and replace your air filter when needed.

Here in Tennessee, our hot summer days (and sometimes surprisingly chilly winter nights) make having a well-functioning air conditioner and heater essential for:

• Year-round comfort
• Peak performance
• A long lifespan
• Lower utility bills
• And better air quality

Lee Company offers a comprehensive Home Maintenance Plan covering all your HVAC needs, including routine check-ups and replacing dirty filters. Plan members also receive exclusive benefits like priority service and no emergency service rates. Contact us today to learn more!