During the winter, your heating system keeps your home warm and comfortable. However, difficulties with your furnace caused by a dirty air filter can prevent it from producing enough heat when you need it the most. If you leave your furnace’s air filter in place for too long, it might become so filthy that the device stops working entirely.

You should replace the air filter every month to avoid clogging every once in a while. Even though your furnace is the primary heat source, the equipment itself requires unobstructed airflow to function correctly. Of course, it takes some time for a dirty filter to cause the furnace to shut down altogether. And there will be plenty of warning signs before it happens.

What Happens When An Air Filter In a Furnace Remains Clogged?

  • Airflow becomes slowed and restricted when air filters become clogged, which may not be visible at first. That is, the furnace is having difficulty breathing.
  • As a result, the air handler in the unit has to work harder. It must do so to compensate for the limited airflow.
  • A clogged air filter hinders air from entering the furnace from your home. When this occurs, the system shuts down because it understands something is wrong.
  • When it isn’t working correctly, it shuts down rather than allowing any components to burn out or otherwise fail.
  • Even if the filter is functioning correctly, it will slightly reduce air circulation in your home, preventing dust and other microscopic particles from entering the furnace through the ducts.
  • The dirty filter prevents too much air from passing through. When circulation becomes insufficient, the system cannot function properly. This activates the failsafe, causing it to shut down.

How To Care For Your Filter?

While dirty air filters might cause a furnace to stop working, there are several ways to keep your furnace well-maintained and running correctly for a more extended period.

  • Cleaning a Reusable Air Filter

If your furnace has a reusable air filter, you don’t have to replace it every time it gets dirty. Remove the filter from the furnace and rinse it with warm water to clean it. Shake the filter after washing it to remove any excess moisture.

  • Changing a Disposable Filter

If your furnace has a disposable filter, replace it regularly. A skilled professional like heating maintenance Plano TX can replace it for you.

What if Your Air Filter Appears To Be Clean When It’s Time To Replace It?

  • When it’s time to replace your furnace filter, about 1 to 3 months after installing a new one, it should be filthy with visible dust buildup.
  • If your filter appears clean and has been in place for the necessary duration, you should perform some checks.
  • If the filter fits perfectly into the holder, is fitted upside down, is the right size, or the air exchange rate is perfect or not.

If you need an HVAC repair in Plano, TX, call us at 214-664-6655 or email us. You can always rely on Calahan Construction and Air for the most excellent services at the most reasonable prices.