We just moved into a new home a few months ago and when I went to clean the air filters they were exceptionally dirty. I don’t think they’d been cleaned in years! How often should the filters be cleaned? Can this kind of dirt buildup affect our health? Can it damage the HVAC system?
– K.S., Washington, DC
“There’s no exact time period that filters should be cleaned,” advises Greg Williams of Jemini Quick Home Services Inc. “That will depend on the type of system you have and the amount of dirt and pollution in your area.”
As a general rule, you should check your filter each month, and if it’s dirty, wash or replace it. Although sometimes you’ll check the filter and it won’t need any attention at all.
“If your air duct system has build-up of dirt it can decrease the efficiency of the air conditioning system, cause breakdowns and even affect your health,” warns Williams, whose company has been servicing and installing heating and cooling equipment, and installing new duct work since 1994.
Common health problems include aggravating asthma and allergies, and developing new symptoms where none existed before.
It’s best to have your air conditioner serviced in winter and summer for peak efficiency. “If the evaporator coils become dirty it can cause extensive damage to the air conditioner and even cause mold spores to grow in the system,” Williams cautions. (The evaporator coils heat and/or help to cool the house, and usually you can’t see them as they’re located in the duct work or inside the air handler).
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Mold spores are more likely to grow in the system in the summer due to water draining from the coils. Moisture and warm conditions is a recipe for mold growth, which can be hazardous to your health.
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