Change Your Air Filter Each Month This Summer! Here’s Why

The air filter is a simple component of your air conditioning system. Its mesh of fibers is designed to stop larger contaminants coming through the return air ducts (dirt, dust, fibers, dander, etc.) from entering the AC’s cabinet. Debris inside the air conditioner will cause a drop in efficiency and lead to repair issues, such as burnt out motors.

The air filter does need some help from you to do its job. Once a month during the summer, you need either to change the filter for a fresh one or, in the case of permanent filters, take it out and gently wash it off with a garden hose. If you let the filter become clogged, it can lead to some of the problems below:

  • Reduced airflow: A heavily congested filter will struggle with sending air through the supply vents. You will notice air coming from room vents is sluggish, and this will result in a loss of cooling power.
  • Internal contamination: When the filter is excessively clogged, it will be much easier for contaminants to get through and inside the system, leading to damages requiring repairs.
  • Inefficient performance: If the air conditioner has to strain to draw sufficient air through the return ducts, it will start draining more energy to work, and you will see elevated bills.
  • Frozen evaporator coil: The warm air drawn through the air filter runs over the evaporator coil in the air conditioner. The cold refrigerant in the coil siphons away heat from the air to cool it down, which also warms up the refrigerant. But if there isn’t enough warm air entering because the filter is blocked up, the refrigerant will remain too cold and start to freeze water vapor along it. This will cause the cooling power of the AC to plummet.

If you don’t know how to change or clean the air filter, simply ask your regular maintenance technician to show you during the annual check-up and inspection. Continue to change the filter each month until the end of air conditioning season.

For help with your air conditioning in Phoenix, AZ, call the experienced team at Magic Touch Mechanical.

CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTER EACH MONTH THIS SUMMER! HERE’S WHY