9 Signs of a Dirty Air Filter

When was the last time you replaced the air filter in your HVAC system? If you're scratching your head right now and trying to remember, that probably means it's been too long since you've done it.

In this case, you likely have a dirty air filter on your hands. As a result, you also likely have dirty air circulating throughout your home.

The only way to prevent this from becoming a big problem is by doing an air filter replacement. You should take your old home air filter out and put a new one in its place right away.

You should also become familiar with all the dirty air filter symptoms. It'll let you know when you need to buy a new air filter. Here are nine bad air filter symptoms you should keep on your radar.

1. Your Air Filter Is Old

The air filter in your HVAC system isn't designed to last forever. You're going to need to replace it at least every three months.

If you know that yours is that old or if you even suspect it might be past its expiration date, you should aim to replace it right away. An old air filter is most likely going to be a dirty air filter.

2. It Looks Dirty

Every so often, you should take your HVAC system's air filter out and see what it looks like. If it's coated in dirt, dust, and other debris, that will be another sign that you have a dirty air filter on your hands.

You should start shopping for an air filter replacement right away after seeing that your air filter is filthy. You aren't going to want to continue to use a dirty air filter like this in your home.

3. It's Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality

Are you coughing and sneezing all the time in your home? This could be an indication that your home's indoor air quality is poor.

There are many things that can cause poor indoor air quality. But oftentimes, it'll be a dirty air filter that will drag down the quality of the air in your house.

You might be able to get away with living in a home like this for a little while. But it's eventually going to take its toll on you. You should replace your air filter to make the air in your home clean again.

4. It's Causing Bad Allergies

Around 60 million Americans suffer from allergies these days. If you're one of them, you're going to find that your allergies will be particularly bad when you have a dirty air filter in your HVAC system.

Since this air filter won't be doing much to remove allergens from the air, they're going to float freely throughout your home and wreak havoc on you. You can get some much-needed relief by replacing your air filter.

5. It's Making Your House Dusty

The average American home will collect right around 40 pounds of dust each year. You're going to need to get into the habit of dusting and vacuuming your house regularly to get rid of it.

You're also going to need to replace your air filter as needed to stop it from contributing to your home's dust problem. If you notice that there seems to be more dust in your home than usual, a dirty air filter could be to blame.

6. It's Impacting Your Energy Bills

Many Americans are seeing their energy bills surge in 2023. It has nothing to do with them having dirty air filters. Energy costs have simply gone up, and homeowners are paying the price for it.

But if you see your energy bills skyrocket even more than usual, that could be a sign that you have a dirty air filter. By getting a new air filter, you may be able to bring your energy costs crashing back down to earth.

7. It's Putting a Strain on Your HVAC System

Does it sound like your HVAC system is always struggling to get up and running? And does it continue to have a tough time as it heats or cools your home?

Your air filter might be dirty and causing it to strain more than it should. You can make things easier on your HVAC system by buying a new air filter for it.

8. It's Causing Your HVAC System to Overheat

If you ever notice that your home's HVAC system feels warmer than it should while it's turned on, it could potentially be overheating. This will be a very bad sign.

You should shut your HVAC system right off and contact an HVAC company for help. But before you do, you might want to give your air filter a look. It could be completely blocked and cause your HVAC system to overheat.

9. It's Creating a Need for HVAC Repairs

You're going to have to do HVAC repairs every now and then to keep your HVAC system in good shape. But if you're repairing your HVAC system every other month, you should try to get to the bottom of what's causing so many complications.

Something as simple as a dirty air filter could be the culprit. You might need to start replacing your air filter more often to stop this from happening, or you might need to try other types of air filters in your HVAC system.

Replace a Dirty Air Filter ASAP

If you have a dirty air filter, you shouldn't hesitate to replace it. You'll be doing your entire HVAC system a favor when you take the time to purchase a new air filter.

FilterTime has all the air filter options you'll need for your home's HVAC system. Shop around on our site to see what your options will be and contact us if you have any questions or would like to place an order. Start your subscription today and never forget to change your air filters again.