Why are my Air Filters so Dirty?

11 Oct Why are my Air Filters so Dirty?

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

Do you ever notice how dirty your air filters can get? That’s especially the case if you rarely change them! Air filters have a lot of work to do, filtering out dust and particles out of the air before the air circulates inside our homes. Ideally, homeowners should change their air filters monthly, although higher quality filters may last longer before needing to be changed. However, sometimes air filters clog up quicker than they should, which could indicate one of several reasons. Today on the blog, our HVAC installation pros at Thompson Electrical Service discuss why air filters get so dirty and why you should keep an eye on just how quickly your filters get clogged.

Your fan setting is “on”

Digital thermostats have a fan mode option, and you can either set it to “auto,” “off,” or “on.” The auto setting means that the fan only works when the HVAC unit is running. Set the mode to “on,” and the fan runs continuously, even when your unit is not heating or cooling your home. This means that the filter is constantly filtering air instead of intermittently. Therefore, the filter may get dirty a lot faster when running your thermostat’s fan mode in the “on” position.

You’ve got pets

Furry family members are loved by many households. While dogs and cats are good companions, they also shed their fur and pet dander. Your unit’s air filters filter these particles out of the air. Therefore, if your filters tend to get dirty quickly, it could be due to your pet. You may need to change your air filters more often, and consider getting your pet groomed to minimize their shedding. Also, frequent dusting and vacuuming to remove pet hair and dander could prolong the life of your air filters.

You have done remodeling recently

Any time remodeling or construction work is done inside your home, it creates a lot of dust. These particles are not good for you to breathe, which is a good thing that you have air filters. If you’ve recently done any remodeling or construction inside your home, change the air filters immediately for the best results.

The temperature outside is more extreme than usual

The amount of buildup on your air filters directly relates to how often your HVAC unit runs. So, if it’s hotter or colder than usual and your unit has run more often, that means more air has been filtered. During extreme seasons, be sure to check your filters more often and change them as needed.

More people live in your home

An increase in the number of people inside your home means more contaminants in the air. This may not be the case when relatives or friends come into town and stay at your house for a few days or a week. But if more people now live in your home, and it’s usually just you or you and your spouse, then be sure to check your filters at least once a month.

HVAC Maintenance and Installation in Kingsport and Johnson City

We’d like all homeowners to know that it’s essential to change your filters at least once a month or whenever you see that they are exceptionally dirty. Clogged air filters slow the unit’s ability to heat and cool your home properly. In essence, the unit struggles to keep up with the thermostat’s demand, which could result in breakdown or complete failure of the unit. Twice-yearly maintenance checks are also important for homeowners. Learn more or schedule your appointment by calling Thompson Electrical Service at (423) 343-5726 or contact us today. We are also available for emergency HVAC repair in Kingsport and Johnson City.