Your air conditioning unit basically processes the air you breathe every day, making it cool or hot enough so that you’re comfortable indoors regardless of the weather outside. Over time, a wide range of pollutants will start to build up on your AC’s filters, which can range from something harmless to illness-causing bacteria and allergens. If you want to make sure your AC is clean and free of these particles, then this guide is for you.
1. Bacteria and Viruses
You probably understand the dangers of bacteria and viruses, considering that they can cause physical ailments and sickness. Dirty AC filters can also be a breeding ground for these particles, which can start to make you ill if they aren’t detected and cleaned quickly enough. This is especially true if you or someone in your household has a weak immune system since it can only take a small amount of bacteria or viruses to make them sick. Make sure to check your filter regularly and wash it whenever you’re not sure that it’s safe.
2. Allergens
When your AC filters aren’t cleaned on a regular basis, they can become a source of allergens in the air, which may force you to clean your AC more frequently and may even cause you to regularly suffer from allergies. Without regular cleaning, the amount of allergens in the air will start to build up, which can cause you to develop allergies that lead to other problems, such as frequent sneezing, inflammation, and difficulty breathing.
3. Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are some of the worst things that can build up on your AC filters since these substances can be extremely harmful to your health. Both mold and mildew can release toxic particles that can cause a wide range of health problems, from minor issues like bad headaches to more severe issues like vision problems, breathing issues, and airborne infections. All it takes is one small mold or mildew colony to cause you to develop resistance if you have a weak immune system, which can make you more susceptible to illnesses. Mold and mildew can also release allergens, which can make you sicker over time.
4. Dust and Grime
Both dust and grime can also build up on your AC filters, which will cause your system to work more slowly and lose efficiency over the long run. Dust and grime are where the particles will start to collect, which can cause them to build up enough to slow down the blades and cause your AC to work harder to keep your home cool. This will increase your energy bill and reduce the efficiency of your system over time. The best way to prevent this is to clean your AC filters every week or so, depending on how frequently you alter the air in your home.
5. Chemical Residue
If you’ve ever noticed a chemical odor from your AC unit, then you may be able to trace it back to the chemical residue. In addition to smelling terrible, the chemicals can also start to make you sick, especially if you’re sick already or if you have a weak immune system. It’s important to clean your AC filters, so they don’t become a source for these chemicals or look for ways to reduce your AC’s chemical emissions.
Conclusion
By keeping your AC filters clean, you’ll be able to keep your home’s air healthier and more comfortable to live in. Keeping them clean will also make your AC unit run more efficiently and last longer than if you don’t clean the filters often. Following the guidelines in this article will help you keep your filters fresh and free of bacteria, viruses, allergens, mold, and mildew so that you can live in a clean environment.
Autumn Air is a family-owned company providing HVAC repair and replacement services for residential and commercial clients. Through our HVAC services in Birmingham, our team can make sure your AC units are working efficiently all the time. Contact us today to request a service!