What Happens If I Don’t Change My Furnace Filter?

How often do you change your furnace filter?

From keeping your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in top shape to ensuring your indoor air quality (IAQ) is ideal, there are dozens of reasons you need to routinely clean or replace that filter!

Changing your filter should be part of your HVAC maintenance regimen, along with at least one professional maintenance visit every year for your furnace and air conditioner. Let Midwest Air Pros help you find a pro in Springfield, MO, Kansas City, MO, Des Moines, IA, Wichita, KS, and Omaha, NE, to handle your HVAC maintenance needs.

Even with an experienced professional by your side, you need to do your part by regularly changing your furnace filter. Help your heating and cooling equipment reach its full service life potential so that you can experience uninterrupted comfort at home. 

How Often Should I Change My Furnace Filter?

It is best to change your furnace filter every one to three months. Debris will start to build, and you will likely notice it on your filter, especially if you wait longer than three months to clean or replace it! Remember, this is what you are breathing in on a regular basis.

So if you’re thinking about going an extra month without cleaning a washable filter or replacing a disposable version—don’t. Be sure to change your furnace filter to prevent issues from occurring.

If you forget to clean or replace your filter, be sure to do so as soon as you remember. Doing so will help keep your Wichita furnace in good condition for the duration of its service life.

Problems Caused By Dirty Furnace Filters

Neglecting critical HVAC maintenance compromises your equipment and your comfort—neither of which you want!

Some of the most common problems that can occur as a result of a dirty furnace filter include:

• Poor indoor air quality (IAQ)—When you don’t clean or replace your furnace filter, dirt, dander, and debris accumulate, and this is exactly what you will be breathing in. Changing your filter supports better indoor air quality inside your Springfield home. This is particularly important if you or someone you live with suffers from allergies and is sensitive to pet dander or dust.
  
• Reduced service life of your heating equipment—Dirty filters can easily clog and compromise your system’s airflow. That forces your heating system to overwork itself and even encourage early deterioration.
  
• Inefficient heating—You want to get the most out of your furnace, but failing to clean or replace your filter will do the opposite. Your system will not provide heating as efficiently as it would if the filter were cleaned or replaced.
  
• Greater energy use—A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder than it needs to, unnecessarily increasing the energy use in your Kansas City home.
  
  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing your dirty furnace filter with a new one can reduce your system’s energy use by up to 15 percent. When you want to cut your energy use down, don’t forget to change your filter!
  
• Increased heating expenses—When your Des Moines home’s furnace works harder than it needs to, it ends up wasting energy. As a result, your heating bill will start to get noticeably higher. Changing your furnace filter regularly can help prevent this from happening since your furnace won’t be forced to overwork.

Be Sure to Schedule Furnace Maintenance

When you schedule routine maintenance with a professional, you can count on getting a new furnace filter in addition to your equipment receiving the critical services it needs to operate at peak capacity. Find a pro in Springfield, MO, Kansas City, MO, Des Moines, IA, Wichita, KS, and Omaha, NE, with the help of Midwest Air Pros!