January 11, 2021

The Dangers of Not Changing Your Furnace Filter

The internet is great for reminding us of all the good habits we should be following. We know that we should drink lots of water, live under a budget, and change our furnace filters every two or three months. (Or more often if you live with a smoker or a shedding dog.)




 

Even though you know you SHOULD be changing your furnace filter regularly, does it really get done?




 

We hope so! Here are some of the dangers that could occur if you put off changing your home’s furnace filter.




 

The Furnace Filter’s Job

Before we discuss what could happen if you don’t change your furnace filter, let’s discuss its purpose.




 

Cold air is drawn into your furnace’s return ducts. This is where the filter resides. Its job is to pick up any dirt, dust, hair, and other pollutants so that the air that goes into the furnace is free of debris.




 

Once the air enters the furnace, it is heated. This warmer air goes through your ductwork, through your home’s vents, and out of the registers.




 

As the warmer air travels throughout the house, the cold air is pushed back into the return ducts.




 

The filter not only prevents the dirt, dust, hair, and other pollutants from entering your furnace, but it also keeps the warm air that is entering your room as debris-free as possible.




 

What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Furnace Filter


There’s a lot that can go wrong when you don’t change your furnace filter.




 



If you allow dirt, dust, hair, and other debris to get inside the unit, the furnace has to work harder to produce heat. Actually, this is true with most appliances and vehicles.

 


When your furnace has to work harder, that means that your energy bills will be higher. It also means that your furnace will not last as long as it could.




 

 


A clean furnace filter not only keeps your furnace running as it should, but it also protects the inhabitants of your home from breathing polluted air.


 

Do you or someone you love have respiratory problems or allergies? Provide them with clean, contaminant-free oxygen to breathe. This is especially important in areas with a lot of pollution and allergens.




 

 


Any machine that doesn’t have the necessary airflow will have to work harder to operate. At a minimum, this may cost you more in energy costs, but it could have more devastating results as well.




 

Although there are several reasons that furnaces could cause a fire in your home, blocked airflow is one of them.




 
It’s not too late to have a professional perform routine maintenance on your furnace this winter. If you live in the Kansas City Northland, call Schomburg Heating and Cooling at 816-238-0032. We are one of the premier providers of Kansas City heating and cooling services.

 




And don’t forget to change your furnace filter!

 

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