Why is a dirty AC filter such a problem? Why does it get so dirty so easily? The following points will help you better understand the topic, clarifying why you need to replace your filters regularly.

What do air conditioner air filters actually do?

An AC system consists of many different components. All of these need to function properly for the entire system to work.

The problem is, at any given time, the surrounding air is filled with numerous contaminants and particulates. If these contaminants were to get inside your system, they could interfere with the operation of one or several components.

That’s why an AC filter is such a critical part of your AC. It protects the system from these contaminants. The result? Smooth and consistent operation.

What happens when I have a dirty filter for my AC?

AC filters protect the system by, as the name suggests, collecting contaminants in the air before they can cause damage. Which also means pollutants will accumulate on the filter over time.

This can result in numerous consequences if the filter isn’t replaced. Primarily, dirty filters force your air conditioner to work harder to cool your home. Using more energy leads to higher utility bills. It can also put too much strain on your system. The system may break down without warning as a result.

Another Important Dirty AC Filter Point to Remember

You already know that regularly changing your filters is key to avoiding high energy bills and ensuring your system works optimally. However, changing your filters often is also important from a health and comfort perspective.

Again, the types of contaminants that may accumulate on dirty filters are wide-ranging. Unfortunately, bacteria can also accumulate on your filters. At a certain point, your filter will no longer be able to collect everything in the air.

This time of year all many of us can think about is keeping cool. But escaping the searing heat that blankets entire swathes of the country comes at a cost. In my 130 year old Victorian, summer utility bills are stratospheric. But where does a person turn for help making decisions about cooling off when it seems like everyone has something to sell? Roofs, windows, air conditioning systems, insulation — companies making and selling these products all have their claims about cooling and energy savings. And how do you separate fact from myth when it comes to adages about keeping a home cool and keeping a lid on the utility bill?

Fortunately a couple of experts weighed in for NBC BETTER with some tips for how you can keep cool and carry on this summer. Lauren Urbanek is a senior program advocate, Center for Energy Efficiency Standards, Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. And Robert Daguillard is a spokesperson for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They helped us break down some cooling essentials.

The next thing in the process of air conditioner trouble shooting is to check the power by turning the switch of the fan to ‘on’ from ‘auto’. In case, nothing happens, means that the control has been burned or the power has been disconnected. But, if the blower works, it means that the power is there. If your system employs a furnace for the purpose of creating heat, confirm if the emergency button has been switched on.

If you have knowledge about the circuit breaker panel or fuse, look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Fix up the problem only once. If the problem reoccurs, it is advisable to call for a professional.

At the time of air conditioner trouble shooting, when the fan is directed to ‘auto’ and selector switch to ‘cool’, turn the thermostat lower than the actual room temperature. If the condenser doesn’t work, but blower does, examine circuit breaker panel. The problem may be with the condenser, if breaker is working properly.

• Fan
• Evaporator coil (cools the air)
• Compressor (electric pump)
• Condenser coil (transfers heat)
• Expansion device

Air conditioning units have two parts: one inside your home and one outside of it. A fan in the inside unit blows air through the chilled evaporator coil, cooling your house, via air ducts. Meanwhile outside, the compressor, condenser coil and another fan vent the hot air coming off the refrigerant. The expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant moving between the evaporator and condenser coils.

Replacing some of these parts is very expensive (particularly the compressor) and may not be much cheaper than replacing the whole unit. Having a trained technician give your unit a yearly checkup should prevent premature mechanical failure.

The U.S. Department of Energy likes to point out that a neglected air conditioner typically costs up to 25 percent more to operate than a well maintained system. If you actually do the math, you may be surprised at how much money you could be saving by investing in a once- or twice-yearly A/C tuneup.

The average southern Florida homeowner runs the air conditioner for 2,800 hours every year. If you drove your car for 2,800 hours every year and didn’t tune it up, how efficient would it be? Not very. Same goes with the air conditioner.

Over time, dust that gets into your system builds up on the evaporator coil in the indoor unit and acts as insulation, reducing its ability to absorb heat and remove humidity. Buildup of dust, dirt, and debris on the outdoor coil prevents it from optimally transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoors. Dust buildup on the blower fan reduces airflow, and dust and debris in the condensate drain can cause clogs that may result in water backing up and shutting down your system.

If you ignore a leaking or dripping faucet in your home, the problem can quickly change from a simple repair to a complex plumbing issue, so it’s important that you have the problem taken care of as soon as possible. The professional Ohio plumbers at Wind Bender Mechanical Services, LLC can fix any plumbing problems that you encounter, and we’ll be able to diagnose and repair any leaking faucets quickly and accurately.

The Facts

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaks in plumbing fixtures can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water per household every year. The most common leak problems occur with:

•  Toilet flappers
•  Valves
•  Faucets

The EPA states that fixing these problems can save you up to 10% on your water bills every month.

Dripping faucets can waste a tremendous amount of water, so this problem has a serious impact on the environment. If you don’t have any leaks in your Ohio home repaired, you’ll be wasting both money and valuable resources.