According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 3.8 million people around the world die every year as a result of some level of indoor air pollution inside their homes. Is your home a potential danger zone as well?
If you don’t regularly change your air filters, then the answer could be yes. That’s because replacing dirty air filters is about more than pumping clean air into your home. But what exactly are the risks of dirty air filters? We’re glad you asked.
Keep reading to learn about the risks you face if you don’t make a habit of regularly changing your air filters.
Developing Dangerous Respiratory Diseases
Have you noticed that you or your family members are sneezing and coughing more than usual? Or, maybe you feel like you’re catching a cold more often, complete with sore throats and congestion?
While it could just be the common cold, it’s also possible that you’re suffering from a respiratory infection due to dirty air filters.
When you leave air filters alone, dust, dirt, and debris accumulate over time, which means that air flowing through the ducts goes through that before entering your home and your lungs.
Over time, this can lead to respiratory issues that could turn into more serious diseases.
Worsening Pre-Existing Respiratory Issues
If you already have a history of breathing troubles like asthma or allergies, dirty air filters can make them worse. For example, you may notice that you have more frequent asthma or allergy attacks if you go too long without changing your filters.
The good news is that it works both ways. If you commit to changing out your air filters regularly, you might notice that your respiratory issues improve, thanks to all the clean air you’re breathing. Changing out your filters is a quick fix that can benefit your health, so it’s a win-win!
Damaging Your Immune System
Your body requires clean, fresh air to function the right way, especially when it comes to your immune system. Dirty air filters can contribute to a weakened immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off viruses.
For example, if you don’t change your air filters regularly, you might find that you begin to get more sinus infections. However, it can affect more than just your respiratory system. Breathing in mold and mildew from dirty air can lead to skin issues as well, like eczema.
You might also find that you feel more run down and fatigued than usual if you spend too much time in an environment with dirty air. By changing it out with a clean filter, you could be feeling more like yourself in no time.
Creating a Dirty Home
As we mentioned above, dirty air can affect your health in numerous ways. However, it can also lead to issues in your home. If dirty filters are left in for too long, you might start to notice dust particles coming out of your air vents.
Not only is this unappealing, especially if you have guests over, but it also causes more work for you. If left alone, those dust particles in the air will settle onto surfaces. This means that you’ll have to work harder to keep your home clean, spending more time dusting and vacuuming.
Dirty filters may also lead to mold and mildew growth in your home, which can be hard to remove and prevent in the future. Leaving dirty filters in for too long is just not worth it.
Decreasing Energy Efficiency
Do you dread opening your monthly energy bill? Homeowners in the U.S. spend an average of $11 billion collectively each year on powering their air conditioning units. One way to reduce the number on your bill is by replacing the air filters in your home each month during peak usage.
One of the main problems with dirty air filters is that they cause your air conditioning system to work harder to circulate fresh, clean air throughout your home.
The harder your system has to work, the more it has to run, and the more it costs you as a result.
Damaging Your HVAC System
Speaking of your HVAC system working harder, that not only costs you more money, but it puts your system at risk of a breakdown.
All of the extra work it has to do to circulate clean air through dirty filters will eventually put a strain on your air conditioner parts, potentially causing them to breakdown more quickly. This leads to the inconvenience of a broken HVAC system as well as expensive repairs.
Help keep system in good shape for longer by replacing the filters on a regular basis.
Creating a Fire Risk
If you leave your filter in for too long, it may become so clogged that the filter becomes sucked into the HVAC system. Not only will your air not be filtered properly, but it can pose a ventilation fire risk.
Make Clean Air a Priority
After reading through this guide to the risks of not having clean air filters in your home, you know how important it is to start changing them out on a regular basis. We recommend getting on a monthly schedule so you never go too long between replacements.
Looking for the best place to get your new air filters? We’ve got everything you need here at Discount Filters. We offer a variety of brands and sizes so you’re sure to find the perfect air filters for your home at the right price.
As a reward for reading until the end, click here to save 20%* on your air filter purchase!
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