If you didn’t know, the longer you leave your heating, and/or cooling system’s air filter go unchecked (or just neglect to replace it) the more likely you will find yourself with a malfunctioning unit. In fact, if you leave it unchecked for months and months, your system might end up working so hard that it could completely break down and thus need to be replaced.
While finding out that you need a new unit is the worst case scenario, neglecting your air filter can also cause other problems.
Airflow and quality will be diminished.
The longer you leave your air filter alone, the more clogged it becomes with dust, dirt, and other debris. So, if you notice that you or other members of your household are coughing, sneezing, or are just getting a lot more sick than usual, it is likely that the amount of good air entering your home has been impacted due to a filthy air filter.
Short cycling will occur.
Because your air filter is dirty or clogged, it is likely that your heating and cooling system will turn on and off more often. This is called “short cycling,” and the more often your unit does this, the chances that it will overheat or break down increases. Furthermore, the likelihood that it will break down increases because it is kicking into overdrive to make sure your home is the proper temperature.
Your energy bills will rise.
If your air filter is clogged and your unit is short cycling, it is likely that your energy bills will rise. And, the fact that your unit simply has to work much harder—and thus use more energy—to heat or cool you home, your energy bills will reflect that by being much higher than usual.
Changing an air filter is an easy five-minute job that you should simply not avoid or neglect to do. Plus, if you don’t want to do it, there are plenty of heating technicians that can.
To learn more about the importance of changing your air filter, please reach out to us here at Hutchinson. We have been changing air filters and servicing heaters in Camden County for years, and have also performed many heating repairs in other South Jersey homes.