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Most homeowners don’t care a lot about their air conditioner until the unit stops functioning the way it should. Unsurprisingly, the biggest reason for an AC system’s repairs and breakdown is a clogged air filter. Yes, most of us underestimate the significance of changing air filters to the point that it starts to consume more energy and pump stale, musty air around our Melbourne homes.
Whether you have a split system, multi-head split system, or ducted refrigerated air conditioning in Melbourne, not changing or cleaning your AC filter is similar to waiting for the system to malfunction or breakdown. If you haven’t changed the filter in some time and have started to think that there’s unnecessary hype around changing the filter every 30 or 60 days, what you’re about to know is going to change your opinion. And most probably make changing the AC filter a priority!
If you haven’t changed your air con filter in quite some time and the system is underperforming and consuming too much energy, try changing the filters. If this doesn’t help, we recommend you call your local HVAC contractor. To hire the best technician, you can read these informative pieces on How To Hire The Best Air Conditioning Technician and Helpful Tips On Hiring An HVAC Contractor.
How Does AC Filter Work?
For an air conditioner to function efficiently, the air that circulates through the system should be clean. If the air isn’t clean of dust, dirt, and other contaminants, it could damage the system and affect your comfort and health. This is where an air filter comes into play. It filters the air that goes into your cooling system of many types of contaminants and particulates such as:
- Dirt and dust
- Mould spores
- Pollen
- Human hair
- Animal fur
- Lint
- Fibers
- Tiny particles of metal and paint
- Bacteria and microorganisms
So, an AC filter acts as a barrier and prevents many types of particles and contaminants from reaching sensitive parts of the cooling system and circulating in your home. In short, it plays a pivotal role in the efficient functioning of the system and cleaning the air you breathe.
6 Major Consequences of Not Changing Your Air Filter
You’d be surprised to know that many homeowners don’t even know where the air filters are located. There are several consequences of forgetting or deliberately ignoring to change air filters.
First, let’s take a look at four stages that will happen if you continue to run your AC with a dirty, clogged filter:
Here is what may happen when you don’t change your filters:
CONSEQUENCE #1: Disrupted Airflow
Not only do the filters get clogged after some time, the blower fans and ducts also accumulate dust and other contaminants. As a result, you will experience disrupted airflow and a decrease in unit’s performance over time.
CONSEQUENCE #2: Wear And Tear of The Unit
When the AC tries to push the air, the clogged filter prevents it from doing it. As a result, it works harder and consumes more energy than usual. Before you know it, the air conditioner becomes sluggish and requires a premature repair job.
CONSEQUENCE #3: Lack of Cooling
A clogged filter disrupts the airflow and is the primary reason behind the accumulation of dirt, dust, and other particles on sensitive components of the unit. Frost buildup on fans, coils, and other parts starts to prevent the unit from providing the expected comfort level.
CONSEQUENCE #4: Higher Energy Bills
Even if the air conditioner provides enough comfort for you to not notice there’s something wrong with the system, it will probably consume more energy. In fact, a clean air filter reduces the energy consumption of an air conditioner by 5% to 15%.
CONSEQUENCE #5: Spread of Mould, Pollen, and Other Contaminants
A clogged air filter is the best friend of mould and mildew because it allows moisture buildup in the system and the duct system. Accumulation of moisture is exactly what mould needs to thrive. As a result, you start to breathe air that is contaminated with mould spores, bacteria, and microorganisms.
CONSEQUENCE #6: Shorter Unit’s Lifespan
The average lifetime of an AC is about 10 to 15 years. However, it can drastically reduce if it works hard due to a clogged air filter or requires frequent repair jobs. Regular maintenance and replacement of air filters ensure your air conditioner lasts longer.
How Often Should AC Filters Be Changed?
The right answer to this question depends on the type of AC filter you use. Most manufacturers and air conditioning experts recommend changing the filters once every 1-2 months. But the frequency of changing air conditioning filters depends on other factors such as:
- A home with a separate air purifying unit
- A home with one or more pets
- The number of people living in a home
- Anyone with asthma and allergies in a home
Read More: How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter?
Future-Proof Your Air Conditioner With ComfyHome
ComfyHome is here to ensure your air conditioner doesn’t face unexpected repairs or breakdowns. Contact us if your Melbourne air con is not performing as expected. Our experts are the best at making air conditioning units run in prime condition. Call 1300 266 394 or send us an email for more information.