A great rapper once said, “Yo. His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti.” While the real Slim Shady was probably talking about his journey to success, this also sounds a lot like the side effects of a dirty air filter. Did you know a dirty air filter could actually be the thing making your family sick? A clogged air filter can significantly reduce the air quality in your home and you might start having headaches, feeling tired, congested, and out of breath. Annual HVAC maintenance checks can help with all of that but if you’re busy and forget every once in a while, that’s okay. But make sure to keep an eye out for these telltale warning signs that you may need a new air filter, otherwise, your health could take a turn for the worse.
Your house’s air filter is clearly dirty
You can check your own air filter each month to make sure it still looks fresh. Once it starts to look grey and dirty, it’s time for an air filter replacement. Most homes need a new air filter every three months. Maybe even less if you have a pet! Once you switch out your old air filter, you’ll start to notice how much more breathable the air is.
There’s dust and debris everywhere
Some homes just seem to collect a lot of dust. But if it seems dustier than usual or you can actually see debris accumulating in your vents, you might need a new air filter.
Your allergies are going haywire
A lot of people have seasonal allergies or they’re allergic to dust. If your house’s air filter is clogged, they’ll start having allergy symptoms like sore throat, red eyes, or a runny nose. That’s because a dirty air filter not only causes dust to collect, it makes your HVAC system force outdoor allergens inside. But you may also just need an air purification system to get rid of toxins in the air.
Smell something burning?
If your HVAC unit smells extra hot, that’s a good sign (well, bad if you think about it) that your air filter is probably clogged. If you check your air filter and it feels hot too, you need to change it ASAP. If you change the dirty air filter and it still smells hot, call the HVAC technicians at Superior AC in Burleson, Texas. There could be a serious underlying problem that needs immediate attention.
Heat isn’t all that you might smell when your air filter is clogged. Mold and mildew can grow on it making your whole house smell funky. Moldy air filters need to be replaced right away too.
The air conditioner isn’t working well
A dirty air filter can make the air that comes out of your air conditioner warmer. This makes it more difficult to cool your home which in turn makes your energy bill higher. So if your bills are increasing, that’s yet another sign that you might want to check your air filter.
You don’t remember the last time you changed your air filter
If you’ve been living in your Burleson home for a year and haven’t touched your air filter, or you just can’t remember when you last checked it– it probably needs to be changed! Even a vacation home that hardly ever gets used needs new air filters after about 6 months.
Residential HVAC Repairs Burleson
If your home’s HVAC system or air filters are showing signs of distress, call the professionals at Superior AC & Heating in Burleson, Texas. We offer residential HVAC maintenance, repairs, and 24/7 emergency repairs to keep your heating and cooling system operational. Contact us today to schedule an air filter replacement.
