As one of the top HVAC companies in Montgomery County, PA and surrounding areas, we know how important an air filter is to your quality of life. A clean air filter in your HVAC system protects your home from unpleasant odors and dust. It also helps air freely flow throughout your home.
To ensure that your HVAC unit is providing the highest possible air quality in the home, you should always be on the lookout for signs of an air filter not operating at peak performance.
Here are three common signs that its air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced.
1. Unpleasant odor:
Have you ever come home and noticed an unpleasant odor – perhaps a slight musty smell? This is a sign that your air filter could be clogged.
Damp musty odors are caused by bacteria building up in your air filter. When your HVAC system cools your home, these bacteria are blown from the filter and into your home.
To ensure optimal air quality, start by giving reusable air filters good cleaning and replacing disposable ones. If the smell persists, you should call a professional who specializes in AC repair in Hatfield, or the surrounding area as the smell may be a sign that your HVAC unit needs a thorough cleaning and maintenance.
2. Sneezing fits and a smell of something burning:
One of the major roles of an air filter is to protect your living room from airborne contaminants. A dirty filter won’t perform this role – leaving dust, dander and other contaminants in the air you breathe. These contaminants can aggravate allergies and cause family members to experience sneezing fits, or shortness of breath.
As more and more dust passes through a clogged air filter, it begins to build up in the heating element of your HVAC system. This results in a burning smell when your heat switches on. If this smell persists after cleaning your air filter, you should call a professional to clean out the heating element, as a buildup of dust can lead to your system’s premature failure.
3. Abnormal airflow and temperatures:
This is another major indicator that your air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. Air conditioners are sized and designed to efficiently produce the cooling that your home needs.
A clogged air filter hampers its ability to efficiently maintain air flow and temperature in your home. As a result your AC unit will run less efficiently and struggle to maintain consistent temperatures. This loss of efficiency causes the system to run longer, resulting in higher monthly energy bills.
If you have replaced your air filter and your AC is still struggling with airflow, it may be time to replace the HVAC unit. A good place to start exploring replacement options would be with a local contractor serving Collegeville PA, and the surrounding areas.
With the important role that the HVAC system plays in our homes and lives, it is important that air filters are regularly checked, cleaned, and replaced. By routinely doing this task, you can help ensure optimal air quality and comfort in your home.