The Risks of Not Changing Your Air Conditioner Filter in The Woodlands, TX

How long have you let that old air filter stay in your return register? Four months? Maybe six? What happens if you don’t change the air conditioner filter?

CREW Heating & Cooling performs many AC repair services in The Woodlands, TX, because of neglected filters. We’ll answer that question below and hopefully motivate you to check on yours. 

Air Filters Play a Vital Role in HVAC Function

Filters aren’t just another expense to handle when it’s convenient. They have an essential function that helps the system work well. Your air conditioner pulls indoor air through the return register, which houses the filter.

When air passes through the filter, it captures various particles and contaminants that might clog your HVAC system. Those particles can also decrease your indoor air quality. 

A dirty filter is one of many issues that cause system inefficiency. It drives up your utility bills as your air conditioner fights to cool the building. Meanwhile, the increasingly poor air quality triggers inflammatory reactions in your nasal passages and respiratory system. 

Now, what happens if you don’t change the air conditioner filter that might trigger these issues? Let’s explore more below. 

What Happens if You Don’t Change the Air Conditioner Filter in Your The Woodlands Building?

If you don’t change the filter in your home or business in The Woodlands, Texas, you’ll face subtle but ever-growing issues that impact you where it hurts: your comfort and wallet. Some of the most common consequences of neglected filter changes include:

• Growing expenses: Filter replacement costs less than letting a dirty filter stay in the register. You’ll cover higher energy bills and surprise repair services as your system works harder and breaks down. 
• Increasing repairs: What happens if you don’t change the air conditioner filter in your building? It can cause coil freezing, which increases your overheating risks and wear on connected components. 
• Perpetual discomfort: Reduced airflow is among the symptoms of a filthy filter. The cool air won’t make it to the furthermost rooms of your building, and they will stay warm.
• Respiratory symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose become the norm, even outside of The Woodlands’ pollen season. 
• Early replacement: You could replace your air conditioner years earlier than necessary if you don’t keep up with filter replacements.

Switching those filters as needed is an inexpensive, simple way to protect your HVAC system’s lifespan and performance. 

How Often Should You Change Your Filter?

A good rule of thumb is to switch your filter every three months. However, your routine might vary depending on your lifestyle. Our technician listed some frequency suggestions below:

• Pet ownership: If you share your home with one furry friend, change your filter every two months. Homes with multiple pets should increase their frequency to every 20 to 30 days. 
• Smoking and vaping: If you smoke cigarettes, vape, or use other inhaled tobacco or nicotine products, set an alarm to change your filter every two weeks. You might use this frequency for incense or candle burning, too. 
• Number of building occupants: More staff or family members means more contaminants permeating your atmosphere. Check the filter’s performance during three months and adjust your changes as needed. 
• Outdoor environment: You can also increase your filter replacements if you live near a dusty road or during pollen season for fewer allergies. 

Now that you know what happens if you don’t change the air conditioner filter, let’s explore what you can do to prolong your filter performance and improve your indoor air quality. 

Our Tips for Better Filter Performance

CREW Heating & Cooling’s HVAC technicians in The Woodlands, Texas, suggest going through the following tips to enhance your filter’s performance:

• Dust your building. Dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming do a lot of heavy lifting in removing excess indoor debris. 
• Take vaping and smoking sessions outdoors. You can significantly curtail the pollutants in your building by keeping smoking or vaping habits outside. 
• Groom your pets. Cats and dogs constantly shed fur and dander. Brushing and washing them limits the shedding. 
• Schedule annual tune-ups. Technicians follow a detailed maintenance checklist to ensure each customer’s system works as expected.
• Don’t forget ductwork services. Remember that your ductwork needs cleanings and inspections every three to five years.