The filters in your furnace play a major role in how well it functions in your Grand Junction home. When the filter gets too dirty, it can have a major impact on the efficiency, reliability, and performance of your system. Regular cleaning or changing of your filter is vital to prevent several issues that can be serious over time.
1. Reduced Airflow
When the air filter is very dirty, air is not able to easily flow through it. This can cause uneven heating, longer heating cycles and trouble getting to and maintaining the right temperature. Your furnace will be under strain. This is especially true for the blower motor because it will have to work a lot harder to push the air through the filter that has a clog or blockage. The blower motor could wear out prematurely as a result.
2. Reduced Energy Efficiency
To maintain the desired temperature, your furnace has to work a lot harder when your filter is dirty. This will cause a decrease in the system’s energy efficiency since it will have to use a lot more energy to meet the heating demands in light of the airflow restriction. You will likely notice longer heating cycles and an increase in your energy bills. Over time, various system components may wear out faster too due to the added strain.
3. Overheating
Your furnace could overheat if the filter is dirty and does not allow sufficient airflow. This is because without enough air, the heat exchanger can get too hot. Since the furnace is not able to properly dissipate heat, it could seriously malfunction. When this happens, the furnace could short cycle, it could trip the high-limit switch, and it might produce strange smells like a burning odor. Damage like a crack in the heat exchanger is possible with prolonged overheating. This has a negative impact on the safety and efficiency of your furnace.
4. Short Cycling
Short cycling refers to your furnace turning off and on far more often than it is supposed to. The disruption of proper airflow due to a dirty filter can cause this problem. That’s because bad filters can lead to your furnace overheating. When this issue occurs, you will likely notice that your furnace is kicking on a lot more often than usual. The cycles might also be shorter than what you are used to. The blower motor and ignition can experience increased wear and your heating pattern will likely be inconsistent. Short cycling also reduces the efficiency of your furnace.
5. Increased Allergens and Dust
The filter on your furnace is there to collect dirt and debris before it can get into your system, float through the ducts, and start circulating throughout your home. When the air filter is clean, it is able to capture an array of airborne particles to help enhance your indoor air quality. You might notice that people in your home with respiratory issues or allergies have increased symptoms when your filter is dirty. If the filter is not catching the dirt and debris, these substances could also start to build up on various components of your furnace, which would lead to premature wear or a reduction in overall furnace performance.
6. Blower Motor Strain
The blower motor on your furnace works to make sure that air is circulating throughout your system. When the filter is dirty, it results in a higher level of resistance, making your blower motor have to work considerably harder to ensure that air is pushing through your filter. This issue can result in decreased airflow and your furnace using more energy to function. You might also notice humming, rattling, and similar unusual sounds.
HVAC Experts in Grand Junction
Cleaning or replacing your furnace filter regularly is one of the most important things you can do to keep your system running strong in your Grand Junction home. We can help you to determine the right filter for your system and how often you need to clean or replace it. Our team can also help with your other HVAC needs, including installation, repair, and maintenance. We offer a complete array of plumbing services as well.
Call Home Comfort Services in Grand Junction today to learn more about furnace filters and how often to replace them.
