Despite the fact that a clean air conditioner filter will have a significant impact on the quality of the air people breathe at home, many people do not pay too much attention to its condition and take too long in realizing the filter in their AC unit has reached the end of its useful life. If this sounds familiar, FilterKing wants to remind you that a clogged AC filter can also affect how your air conditioner functions and, ultimately, how long the whole equipment will last. Read on to get more information on how to know when your air filter should be changed.
It Is Obviously Dirty
Pull the filter out of the equipment and look at it closely. If it looks dusty and gray, replace it. Once you install a new one, get in the habit of checking its condition once a month to determine when a new one is needed. This way you can avoid problems associated with poor air quality and deficient AC performance.
Dust Around the Home
When your home appears to be dustier than usual, the AC filter may be the culprit. A new filter is there to pull dirt and dust out of the air before it covers your entire home. A filter that is full will not be able to do this and will instead allow dust to accumulate around the home, particularly around air vents.
Allergy Symptoms Seem Worse
If you or anyone else in your household suffers from allergies, a dirty filter will help to make those symptoms worse. A clogged filter will bring allergens into the home but once you replace it, you should start to feel relief.
Strange Smells
Your AC unit may be having to work excessively hard when it has a clogged filter. Mildew and other contaminants may also have accumulated on it. This may result in a strange smell throughout the house. When you notice this, change the filter.
Your AC Equipment Is Hot
When there is a dirty and stuffed AC filter, the equipment will have to work that much harder to push the same amount of air through the filter. If the unit is hot to the touch, verify whether the filter is clean. Otherwise, change it right away. If after changing the filter the unit still seems to you to be unusually hot, call an AC technician right away. You may just have caught an issue that may grow to be more expensive and harder to repair by taking this small action.
You Do Not Remember When You Changed it Last
The average time frame for an AC filter to be changed is around three months. However, depending on your unit and the weather, you may have to change it as frequently as once a month or maybe only twice a year. Still, if you are having doubts trying to remember the last time your filter was changed, err on the side of safety and change it right away.