3 AC Problems That Can Be Caused By A Dirty Air Filter
Modern air conditioning units pull in air from outside your home, cool this air, then circulate it throughout your living space. Air passes through a filter that removes dirt, dust, and other contaminants to prevent them from entering your AC unit.
Keeping this air filter clean is critical to the overall efficiency of your air conditioner. A dirty filter has the potential to wreak havoc on your cooling system.
Here are three potential problems that can be caused by a dirty air filter.
1. Loss of Efficiency
Homeowners want their cooling systems to be as efficient as possible. The cleanliness of your air filter can be a determining factor when it comes to how efficiently your AC unit runs.
When the filter is dirty, less air can move through it when your AC turns on. Your cooling unit must work harder to pull in enough air to keep your home cool. As a result, more energy is required to power your AC system.
The best way to ensure your AC unit remains as efficient as possible is to regularly replace the air filter to prevent clogs.
2. Blower Motor Damage
The increased workload brought on by a dirty air filter can cause significant damage to the blower motor in your AC unit.
The blower motor is responsible for turning the fan that helps draw in air from outside. If a clogged filter is preventing adequate air from being pulled into the AC unit, the blower motor will need to work overtime to compensate.
This excessive use can cause the motor to sustain serious damage that will require costly repairs to fix. Replacing your air filter often can help you avoid any serious blower motor damage over time.
3. Frozen Condenser Coils
Your outdoor compressor unit contains a series of coils that aid in the cooling process. Refrigerant runs through these coils, which helps draw heat from the air that circulates around them.
As the heat is removed from the air, the overall temperature decreases. This cooled air is then circulated throughout your home.
A clogged filter limits the amount of air circulating through the condenser coils at any given time. Without an adequate air supply, the coils can become too cold and start to freeze over.
Allowing your condenser coils to remain frozen for an extended period of time will not only compromise the function of your AC system but could also cause irreparable damage to the coils themselves.
Contact an AC repair service for more information.