What’s the Most Common Furnace Problem?
From cracked heat exchangers and collapsed ventilation systems to pest infestations and damaged ignitions, a lot can go wrong with the furnace in your Lake Charles, LA home. Fortunately, well-maintained furnaces are far less likely to develop problems than neglected heaters. The most common furnace issue is a dirty air filter.
How Dirty Air Filters Affect Furnace Performance
Furnaces pull cool indoor air in by drawing it through their filters. When these components are heavy with dust, hair, carpet fibers, and other debris, airflow throughout the HVAC system declines. This forces furnaces to work harder and can lead to problems like overheating and short cycling. Worse still, the thick mats of lint-like debris that overwhelm furnace filters aren’t guaranteed to stay in one place. The build-up can break free and find its way into air ducts and air vents or onto the sensitive interior components of furnaces.
Frequent headaches, increases in indoor allergies, and dry, itchy eyes and skin are all signs of a dirty furnace filter. You should also check your furnace’s filter if you notice a sudden rise in your indoor humidity or a noticeable spike in your home energy bills.
Why Are Furnace Filters Often Overlooked?
Many people underestimate the importance of furnace filters. Others wait to replace them until the heart of winter when store shelves are already empty. Although important, furnace filter changes are one of countless home maintenance tasks that are easy to overlook or neglect when life gets busy.
How to Stay on Top of Furnace Filter Changes
The recommended schedule for furnace filter changes is once every one to three months. If you have indoor pets, residents with chronic respiratory illnesses, or other indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns, your household will likely benefit from more frequent filter changes.
To keep yourself current with this task, take your furnace filter out and inspect it monthly. If light can pass through it when you hold it up, air should be able to move through it, too. If it cannot, it’s time for a replacement. You can also invest in a smart or programmable thermostat that sends timely reminders for all HVAC air filter replacements.
Sometimes furnace problems aren’t as easy as removing an old, dirty filter. When furnace problems rear their head in your Lake Charles, LA home, we can help. We’ve been proudly serving the region since 1999. We offer top-notch heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services. We also provide HVAC air duct cleaning and ductless mini-splits. To schedule an appointment, contact ACR Air Conditioning & Heating today!
