When the weather turns cold, your HVAC system works harder to maintain your home’s temperature. And since the air inside your home is recycled air from the HVAC system, it also gets a little dirty along the way. This is why it’s important to check your air filter often and replace it when it looks dirty. An air filter helps clean the air that is pumped through your HVAC system and prevents dust and other contaminants from getting into the ductwork and making your indoor air quality less than ideal. An air filter that is dirty can trap dust and other contaminants inside your HVAC system, which can lead to a buildup of scale, mold, and bacteria. This is especially true during the winter months when the HVAC system runs for long hours and is constantly circulating air indoors. Here are a few signs that will help you know when it’s time to replace your air filter.

It’s been a long time since you changed your filter

If you’ve been ignoring your air filter for a long time and it is now looking pretty gross, it’s time to replace it. While there are some DIY ways to clean your air filter (more on that later), your filter is designed to trap and remove contaminants from the air. If it gets too dirty, it can actually prevent the HVAC system from doing its job. If you’re not sure when your filter was last changed, there are a couple of things you can do to check. First, turn off your HVAC system and remove the filter. If you can see through the filter, it’s probably time to change it. Also, check the filter label. Most HVAC systems come with a filter change reminder on the filter itself. If the filter doesn’t say when it was manufactured, it’s probably been a couple of years. Either way, it’s time for a new filter.

Your HVAC system is running excessively or not at all

If you’ve tried changing your filter and it’s still not getting the job done, it’s time to replace it. If your HVAC system is running excessively or not at all, it’s a good indication that your filter is clogged and needs to be replaced. If your filter is clogged, it’s not doing its job and letting the air flow freely through the ductwork. If you notice that your HVAC system is running excessively, it could be because your filter is clogged and not letting air through. This could also be because of a faulty thermostat, which we’ll talk more about later.

Your indoor air quality is poor

If you have allergies or asthma and are sensitive to the quality of your indoor air, you should be looking for signs that your filter needs to be replaced. If your HVAC system is not running efficiently, it’s going to be harder for your air filter to do its job. This means more dust and dirt will get into your home, making your indoor air quality worse. If you have allergies, you want to make sure that you’re not breathing in dust and other contaminants that are floating around in the air. A dirty air filter can trap dust and other contaminants, making it harder for your air filter to do its job.

You can smell a foul smell coming from the vents

If you’ve been putting off changing your air filter because you don’t want to smell bad again, now is the time to get it done. One of the signs that your filter needs to be changed is if you can smell a foul smell coming from the vents. This could be a sign that your HVAC system has been running with a dirty filter for a long period of time and is now emitting a foul smell. This smell is coming from bacteria, mold, and other contaminants that are trapped in your filter. If you can smell this bad smell coming from your vents, it’s a good idea to change your filter immediately. You don’t want to have to deal with the smell for days on end.

Your heating or cooling bills have increased significantly

If your HVAC system is running, but you’re having to pay a lot for your heating or cooling bills, it could be because your filter is dirty and not letting air through. If you’ve been putting off changing your filter, it could be because you’ve been ignoring the signs that it needs to be changed. When your HVAC filter gets clogged, it traps dust and other contaminants in the air, making it harder for your HVAC system to run efficiently. If you’ve noticed an increase in your heating or cooling bills, it could be because your filter is dirty and not letting air through. You can also check your filter to see if it’s still clean. If it looks dirty, it’s time to change it.

Conclusion

Now that you know the signs that your air filter needs to be replaced, it’s time to get it done. Make sure to clean your filter before you put it back in the HVAC system to make sure that it’s clean enough to do its job. Once you’ve replaced your filter, be sure to clean out the dust bunnies that have been living in your ductwork for years!

Frequently Asked Question

You should change your air filters every 90 days. However, if you have allergies, you better change them after 45 days. It also depends on the MERV rating of the filters you are using. On average, it is highly recommended to change your air filters every 90 days. 
Yes, it does. There are many types of air filters and their performance is based on their material and most of the time their MERV rating. Choosing the best one will make a huge impact on how long your HVAC system will last.
HVAC air filters have different variations depending on their quality and sizes. Most HVAC manufacturers would recommend buying a new air filter that is compatible with HVAC. These air filters have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV which will tell you their overall performance in filtering contaminants in the air.
Most likely it will not filter the air properly. Dust will accumulate on your filter thus affecting some parts of your Air Conditioning unit. Aside from not being able to work properly in filtering the air, it will damage the system of your AC, because the airflow is affected.