A functional aircon is something that most of us enjoy, regardless of our hobbies or profession. And we recognise that to maintain it running efficiently for as long as possible, we must change the filters regularly. This is why aircon servicing should be scheduled and done timely. 

But what if, no matter how careful you are about the work, the filters continue to grow dirty alarmingly quickly? Can you intervene? What does it tell about the indoor air quality in your home?

As a homeowner, you know that changing your aircon air filter is a recurring task. The fundamental guideline is that they should be replaced as soon as they become soiled. 

How can you tell when you’re changing them too often and wasting money on new filters? The answer is very dependent on the type of filter you’re using.

Can I Run The Aircon Without a Filter?

The quick answer is that you can run your air con without a filter for a short amount of time without causing damage to your system. But running your air conditioner without a filter for more than 6-8 hours can substantially harm your system and significantly reduce the air quality in your house.

The air filter is one of the most vital parts of your air conditioning system. After all, without the air filter, nothing would prevent particles (dander, grime, and dust) from moving throughout your home. That’s why you change out dirty air filters for new ones every few months or get your aircon servicing and maintenance done properly. 

Continue reading to learn why your air filters are going black so quickly.

6 Reasons Why Your Aircon Filter Gets Dirty

1. There Is Mould In Your Home.

This is a worst-case scenario, but mould might be causing the extra black on your air filters. Moisture can build up in the ducting of your air conditioning system (typically due to a leak or blockage) and cause mould to grow. Mould spores might end up in your air filter as they travel through your system and house.

Mould is obviously never a good indication. If you suspect mould in your house, we recommend replacing your unclean air filter with a new one as soon as possible and booking an appointment with a reputable aircon servicing professional.

2. You Have Pets

You can’t deny that your dogs sweat a lot, no matter how much you love them. Its fur will cover the air conditioner’s air filter in the same manner as it coats your furniture, floor, and clothes. As a result, if you have pets, you should change the filters more frequently than someone who does not have furry family members. It’s a good idea to change them at least once a month.

3. The fan mode is turned on.

Your thermostat has several settings, including “AUTO” and “ON.” If your air conditioning system’s fan is set to “ON,” it will operate continuously even if your system’s cooling cycle is not.

On the one hand, this implies that the air in your house is continually purified. On the other hand, doing so is unnecessary and will cause your air filter to wear out far faster. If your system is set to “ON,” try switching it to “AUTO” and see if your air filters change.

4. There is a lot of soot in your house.

Are you a fan of candles? We all want a relaxing environment that smells wonderful, but candle soot may be a severe problem for specific houses. Soot is a consequence of burning cards and occasionally utilising your fireplace, but there is a simple cure. You’re also not required to give us your candles.

Make it a practice to trim the candle wicks regularly. This reduces the candle flame’s size, smoke volume, and subsequent soot.

5. Air Filters of Poor Quality

We understand. If you’re on a tight budget, you won’t squander on air filters since the more costly filters are rarely necessary. Nevertheless, remember this: choosing lower-quality air filters is more expensive in the long run: you may save money initially, but you will have to replace them more frequently. 

While purchasing air filters, consider the MERV rating, which ranges from 1 to 20. The greater the number, the higher the quality of the filter. 

6. Your house is contaminated.

Nobody wants to think of their house being contaminated, but this might be why your air filters are turning black so quickly. Several variables, from dogs to hairspray, can contaminate the air in your house.

If you’ve just acquired a new pet or completed a home improvement project, this might explain a significant spike in air filter particles. If you’re worried about the air quality in your home, we encourage speaking with a specialist about installing a whole-house air cleaner.

Filter Issues Induced by Dirty Filters

When your air filter becomes clogged, you may encounter the following issues:

a) Overheating: 

As your air conditioner’s filters become filthy, it causes it to overheat. This is because the system needs to work harder to stay up.

b) Insufficient heating/cooling: 

If your aircon filters get clogged, it might be challenging to maintain the proper interior temperature levels. Because of filth and debris, less air flowing through the system might result in unpleasant heated temperatures in your house.

c) Unclean Air: 

If your air conditioner isn’t operating correctly, the air inside your home will grow stagnant, resulting in poor indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution has been connected to respiratory disorders like asthma and lung illness.

An aircon chemical wash is also highly recommended when you sense that the air is unclean. 

Conclusion

To summarise, a filthy air conditioning filter not only reduces the performance of your aircon system but also has a detrimental influence on the quality of your indoor air. Understanding the causes of a filthy air conditioner filter, such as inadequate maintenance, environmental variables, and lifestyle patterns, allows you to take preventative measures.

Cleaning or changing your air conditioner filter regularly, scheduling expert maintenance, and making little changes to your daily routine may all lead to a better, healthier, and more pleasant indoor atmosphere. Pay attention to the value of a clean air conditioning filter and ensure your aircon system is operating at peak efficiency.

Contact Singcool SG’s aircon professionals and let us assist you!

We can help you with any problem with your air conditioner. In Singapore, we offer our services. Additionally, because we realise how vital a running air conditioner is in Singapore, we provide aircon servicing and aircon maintenance services. 

Contact us at +65 9449 0655 to get your air conditioner repaired, or book an appointment with us online!