Furnace Filters
Furnace Filters
What do furnace filters have to do with carbon monoxide?
Nothing really.
This is my chance to provide a public service announcement.
Good filters, dirty filters, no filters … have no affect on whether your furnace will produce carbon monoxide. However, they can have a profound affect on your overall well being and equipment life.
Effects of Dirty Air Filters
During Winter:
- Causes reduced air flow.
- Causes furnace to discharge higher than normal air temperature.
- Cause an abnormal temperature rise across the heat exchanger.
- Could cause stress cracks in the heat exchanger, singed wiring and a number of other issues.
- Decrease system efficiency by increasing the heat-loss of the duct work.
- Allows dirt accumulation on air-conditioning coil.
During Summer:
- Causes reduced air flow.
- Can cause air-conditioning coil to form ice or freeze up completely.
- Can lead to “liquid slugging” at the compressor.
- Can lead to un-even cooling between rooms.
- Can cause ducts to sweat.
- Greatly decreases system efficiency.
- Increases operating costs.
- Allows dirt accumulation on air-conditioning coil.
Once dirt accumulates on the air-conditioning coil, system capacity is reduced and eventually the air-conditioner stops working.
So – don’t be a forgetful home owner — change your air filters at least every three (3) months. Change them every month for optimum efficiency.
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