What Happens When Your Air Conditioner Filter is Dirty?

A dirty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your air conditioner. It restricts the flow of cold air, causing it to build up inside the air conditioner and lower the internal temperature. This can lead to ice forming on the coils, poor cold air flow, and an overheated air conditioner. If you notice uneven cooling throughout your house, it could be a sign that your air conditioning filter is dirty.

Dust and dirt can clog parts and cause damage to your air conditioner, while a clogged filter can also cause your electric bill to skyrocket. To prevent these issues, it's important to know when to clean or replace your air filter. If you haven't cleaned or changed the filter in a long time and your air conditioner isn't blowing cold air like before, it could mean that the system has frozen. To determine if dust has accumulated around the vents, you can do the “white sheet” test.

If you have pets, live in an area with poor air quality, smoke, have severe allergies, have carpets, or if you have a lot of people living in your home, you probably need to replace your air filter more often. After washing the air filter, rinse it with clean, warm water and shake it to drain any excess water trapped in the filter. If your air conditioner doesn't get adequate airflow through the filter, the air won't cool as well as it should. And, even if dust and dirt don't get into the air conditioner, the air conditioner works harder to cool the air when the air filter is dirty. From sizes to types, grades and more, here's everything you need to know about air filters. It brings expert knowledge of a wide range of home air filtration topics, including HVAC filters, filtration efficiency, and indoor air quality.

If you need air conditioner maintenance, including cleaning or replacing your air filter, count on us to meet your needs. One of the purposes of an air filter is to filter out all microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, plant spores and mold, and even smoke. To keep your AC running smoothly and efficiently all year round, it's important to check and clean or replace your air filter regularly. Doing so will help prevent ice formation on the coils and other issues that can arise from a dirty filter.

Elisa Michocki
Elisa Michocki

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