There is more than one problem that can arise from not regularly changing your air filter. These problems can be broken down into three major categories: Energy Consumption, Mechanical, and Health. Energy Consumption: The harder your AC or Furnace system works, the more energy it will consume. The more energy it consumes, the higher your electric bills. Changing your filters on a regular basis can save you hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars each year. Mechanical: A dirty air filter of any type may result in extensive damage to the fan blower motor or compressor in your AC or furnace. Dirt and grime accumulate on crucial moving parts causing them to fail much quicker than expected. This can be very costly and sometimes leads to a total system replacement. At the very least, your system life expectancy will be reduced significantly.
Health: Most importantly, if you do not change your air filters on a regular basis, it can cause potential health problems for your family. Consider these facts from the EPA: Each person inhales over 3,500 gallons of air each day. Children inhale more particles for their size than adolescents or adults. Polluted air causes 94% of all respiratory problems. An estimated 10-15% of the entire population may be allergic to cat or dog dander. More than 31 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma, about 1/3 are children under 18. About 40,000 dust mites, a common household allergen, can live in one ounce of dust. A person sheds up to 700,000 skin flakes per day. Your air conditioner filter is the primary defense to reduce and hold these health issues at bay. A quality home air filter changed on a regular basis is a small investment for your family’s health.