What happens when air conditioner filter is dirty?

A dirty air filter restricts the flow of cold air, causing it to build up inside the air conditioner and lower the internal temperature. Over time, that buildup of cold air can cause ice to form on the coils. As a result of the buildup, a dirty filter will also cause poor cold air flow in the air conditioning system. That cold air will be trapped inside the air conditioner, causing ice to form on your coils.

Once that happens, the air conditioner will freeze and stop working. However, before your system completely freezes, there will be some telltale signs to watch out for. One of them is the uneven cooling throughout the house. If you notice that some rooms are harder to cool than others, while others are constantly feeling cold, you'll want to check your air conditioning filter first.

An overheated air conditioner can be a sign of a clogged air filter. If the AC filter is dirty, the air conditioning unit will work harder when turned on to keep the room cool. Consequently, that will put more pressure on the air conditioner, causing it to produce a lot of heat. In addition, a dirty filter can cause dirt to build up inside the air conditioner.

Dust and dirt will clog parts and cause damage to your air conditioner. If you haven't cleaned or changed the filter in a long time and your air conditioner hasn't blown cold air like before, it could mean that the system has frozen. Dirty filters restrict the flow of cold air, which can cause it to build up inside the air conditioner. The end result could be ice formation on the coils.

If the fan struggles to pump air through the clogged filter, it consumes a lot of energy, contributing to a high electric bill. Now that I've covered what happens if the AC filter is dirty, let's go over some answers to the most common questions about AC filters. After washing the air filter, rinse it with clean, warm water and shake it to drain any excess water trapped in the filter. If your air conditioner doesn't get adequate airflow through the filter, the air won't cool as well as it should.

If you have pets, live in an area with poor air quality, smoke, have severe allergies, have carpets, or if you have a lot of people living in your home, you probably need to replace your air filter more often. If you don't replace the air filter immediately, the problem will continue to recur and the oven won't generate enough heat. If it doesn't cool your house as well as you'd like, the best first step is also the easiest: check the filter. The best way to determine if dust has accumulated around the vents is to apply the “white sheet” test.

And, even if dust and dirt don't get into the air conditioner, the air conditioner works harder to cool the air when the air filter is dirty. From sizes to types, grades and more, here's everything you need to know about air filters. It brings expert knowledge of a wide range of home air filtration topics, including HVAC filters, filtration efficiency, and indoor air quality. If you need air conditioner maintenance, including cleaning or replacing your air filter, count on us to meet your needs.

One of the purposes of an air filter is to filter out all microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, plant spores and mold, and even smoke.

Elisa Michocki
Elisa Michocki

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