Air Conditioner Filters' Effects on Cooling

What The Filter Does

• The air conditioning air filter is a lightweight, simple object that does a lot of heavy lifting. Changing it regularly is perhaps the most important maintenance you can do on your central air system. The filter is located along the air intake of your duct system and screens out the impurities in the air such as hair, dust, dirt and other small airborne particles. The filter allows air to pass freely but catches these bits to prevent them from getting to the condenser coils or other sensitive parts of the system. A dirty air filter can restrict the overall airflow and allow more particles to force their way through. In addition to improving the performance of the system, the filter also keeps the air in your home clean.

Working Harder To Cool

• If your air filter is clogged up and airflow is restricted, then your air conditioning system is forced to work way too hard. The air conditioner drains more energy as a result of a dirty air filter, and it will not cool as well. A dirty filter lets through more dust and grime, which can collect on the cooling coil and make the system unable to produce the coldest air possible.

Takes Longer To Cool

• You have to wait longer for your air conditioner to get to the temperature you want when you have a dirty filter. Since the unit works harder to cool and is unable to produce maximum chilled air because of the dirty filter, it takes longer for it to reach the desired temperature. This also increases electric bills noticeably.

Maximizing Airflow

• To maximize the airflow in your air conditioning system and to keep the air quality and cooling at its best, change your air filter regularly. Most air filters you buy suggest using them for up to 90 days, but in reality the filters can get dirty and affect the system before that with heavy use. During the cooling season, replace your filter monthly to guarantee it is clean enough to maximize airflow and therefore maximize cooling.