Does your air conditioning system feel off?

There are many reasons to believe that your air conditioning is different from before. It can be because some of its inner workings aren’t as good as they were before. This often prompts you to call in a professional to fix it or to have it replaced entirely.

Sometimes, it can be a simple case of AC filter replacement. Old filters can make your HVAC system deliver dust and other pollutants into your home. They can even cause irreparable damage to your HVAC system if left for too long.

This makes it important to maintain your air conditioner all the time. How can you tell when it’s too late to maintain them, though? Read on to know the telltale signs your filters need replacement.

1. Dirty Air Filters

One of the most obvious yet often overlooked signs you need an AC air filter replacement is when you see the grayish dirt on the filter. The function of the filters is to catch all the dirt particles from getting inside your home. If you don’t replace them often enough, though, debris will accumulate over time and clog the filter. 

Because of this, it won’t be able to filter the outside air much. You will see layers of dust on your furniture and appliances near the air vents. This will affect the overall air quality inside your house.

You also need to consider replacing your air vents and buy a new spiral duct register for your ventilation system. 

2. The AC Unit Is Too Hot to Touch

Feel around the back of your air conditioner to see if it’s overheating. It’s natural for machines like air conditioners to generate heat. That said, the heat emanating should not be too hot for you to touch. 

A filthy filter can stop the air from flowing inside your air ducts. It will force your AC to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. The harder it works, the more heat is being generated from the air conditioner. 

Overheating can cause warm air to expel from the air conditioner. You will feel the hot air circulating around the room when it should be cold.

3. The Air Is Not Cold

If you have an overheating HVAC unit, it’s often accompanied by warm air, too. The unit will have no choice but to spew warm or hot air because it can’t generate cold air.

There are other reasons why your AC is not cold such as faulty compressor and malfunctioning parts. You can blame clogged air filters for this phenomenon most of the time. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you can turn to professional technicians for help.

4. The Air Is Too Cold

Did you know your HVAC system can freeze up? It can lead to many technical problems, especially in extreme weather temperatures. One of the most probable reasons is the restricted air because of the dirty filter. 

Your air conditioner draws from the air outside and the coil eliminates the heat. That’s why you can feel and breathe clean cool air inside your home. A filthy filter interrupts cold airflow and causes the temperature inside to go much lower than recommended. 

If continues to happen, the cold temperature can build up and will cause ice to appear on the coil. This can affect the overall efficiency of the AC system. 

4. The AC Air Smells Musty

You might not be able to see the dust that much, but another factor to consider is the smell coming out of the AC. Dirt can be anything from dead skin, pet dander, pollen, ash, and dust outside your house. It can catch these tiny particles in the filter, and it creates this musty smell when exposed to moisture. 

If the air quality has not been good, the filter will also get clogged faster than expected. It won’t be enough to filter out the smell and dirt particles outside. This will only add to the bad smells accumulating inside your AC. 

To improve the air quality, replace the filter when you get a whiff of something musty. 

5. Sudden Spikes on Your Electricity Bills

Have you noticed the sudden spikes in your monthly bills? You can expect some during summer because of the overwhelming heat. This is a matter of concern if it’s nowhere near the season, though. 

Remember how a filthy filter makes your air conditioner works harder? To maintain the temperature, this will need more electricity to run properly. This is a more subtle yet troublesome sign you have to do an HVAC filter replacement. 

To find if the AC filter is to blame, find the most recent of your electricity bills the past 6 months. Check if you are getting the usual rates monthly. You can call the utility company if they increased their electrical rates to be sure. 

6. You Are Getting Allergy Attacks

Can you get allergies from using the air conditioner? Yes, you can but not from the cooling system itself. According to health experts, you are allergic to the air contaminants inside the unit. 

It is advisable to change your air filter at least 4-5 times per year in these instances. 

Ask yourself and your other family members if they are suffering from allergies. There are allergic reactions to look out for, sneezing, tiredness, fever, and dizziness. Please consult with your doctor if the symptoms persist. 

 

7. The Vents Keep Producing Dust

It’s not enough that dust keeps plaguing the inside of your HVAC system. You will also see it on the external components if you have a busted filter. It’s clearest when there’s dust settled on the vents of your air conditioner.

This means that the air coming out of the system is too weak to blow them off. It’s also a factor in making you have worse allergy reactions, as mentioned above.

If you see some dust on the outside, it can mean that it’s been a while since you’ve last cleaned it. This means it’s time to clean it up or call a professional to look into it. This is often a telltale sign that it’s too late for you to clean it on your own.

Know When the Time is Right For an AC Filter Replacement Today

Noticing these factors on your HVAC system? Replace your filter before it’s too late! Use these factors to know if it’s time for an AC filter replacement today!

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