Why Changing Your Home's Air Filter Shouldn’t Be Overlooked.

why-cleaning-home-air-filters-is-important

When it comes to home maintenance, the laundry list of to-dos seems never-ending and more times than we’d like to admit, things get left out. While some items may be okay if overlooked, changing your air filter is not one of those things! Checking your home’s air filter should be at the top of your to-do list, and it should be done routinely, quarterly at a minimum, to ensure the best quality of air in your home and to keep your system working effectively.

The purpose of your home’s furnace is to regulate temperature and distribute air through a system of ducts. When your furnaces filter becomes clogged, its design can no longer perform efficiently or adequately. Below, we have compiled a list of issues that could arise if your air filter is clogged.

Poor Airflow

A clogged air filter will cause poor flow of the heated or air-conditioned air throughout your home and result in your furnace’s inability to maintain its programmed temperature. When dust and debris become trapped in your filtration system, it becomes difficult for air to pass through; therefore, your home will be left with uneven temperatures; some rooms may be colder than others, this can be incredibly bothersome in those cold winter months or the heat of summer.

Working in Overdrive

While your furnace is working in overdrive to make up for the resistance caused by blockages in its filtration, internal damage to other parts of the system could occur. Not only will this leave your family without heat or air conditioning until a contractor can meet with you, but repairs to furnace components can be very expensive —in comparison to an average $30 replacement air filter. 

3 signs your furnace is over worked:

Uneven heating.

Water leaks.

Making new noises.

Some troubleshooting questions:

When was the last time I changed the filter?

When was my last maintenance check?

How old is my furnace?

Drives up Utility bills

Dirty filters can cause your furnace to come on and off repeatedly, making it hard to keep your home warm. Your furnaces system is equipped with fans to circulate and recycle air, which maintains the programmed temperature in your home. However, if the air filter is clogged, the fan will need to use a higher energy output; this constant on and off and excess usage of power will cause your utility bills to skyrocket — and this will only worsen until the filter is changed.

Health Effects of Poor Air Quality

Since your furnace system relies on recycled air, a clogged filter will allow things like harsh chemicals, pet dander, dust, and debris, to be continuously recirculated into your home, where it otherwise would have been filtered out. This can affect family members with allergies, asthma, or other physical conditions, negatively impacting health.

System Failure

As we said before, neglecting to change your air filter can damage several different components of your furnace system. Overheating caused by poor circulation can cause a cracked heat exchanger, which could allow carbon monoxide to get into your home.  It is critical to note that extended stress on your furnace system could also result in complete system failure, meaning your system has been so overworked that it shuts down entirely, leaving you with a more than substantial replacement bill.

Poor Upkeep

Failing to change your air filter can severely impact your property assessment when selling your home. It also shows prospective buyers that you haven’t looked after your home correctly and may lead them to assume you’ve failed to mention other issues with the house.

Clean air vents & ductwork

Maintain, Maintain, Maintain!

Maintaining your furnace and regularly changing its air filter is critical to ensure your system is high-functioning and efficient. Not only will it save you time and money, but it will allow you to rest easy knowing the air your family is breathing promotes a healthy living environment for everyone!

why-cleaning-ywhy-cleaning-your-air-filters-is-important

Have any questions?

Contact us if you have any home questions; As we’re a hands-on, full-service realty team for Carleton Place and West Ottawa area. This checklist is a great foundation, but nothing can replace an experienced realtor.

Contact Us