If the filter is dirty, everything that passes through it is contaminated, including the air you breathe. This can fill your home with dust, allergens, and other particles that can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, chest tightness, and cold-like symptoms. A clogged filter can also make your heating and cooling system inefficient. All air that passes through your systems must pass through the filter. If the filter is dirty and dusty, air flow is restricted, causing your heating and cooling system to work harder than it should.
This can lead to premature wear, a total system breakdown, or expensive utility bills every month. There are many potential health risks due to dirt on air filters, especially for people who have allergies, asthma, or respiratory illnesses. Even the smallest level of dust, dirt, or pollen can trigger a chain reaction and cause serious health problems. Clogging problems don't just happen with the air conditioning filter. Even the oven filter faces the same challenge if it is not maintained or replaced regularly. So yes, having a dirty oven filter can make you sick.
Not sure which filter is best for you? See our guide on how to select oven filters and determine the correct MERV rating. As long as you change your air filter regularly, you can minimize the effects of dirty air. Contaminants and small particles can make you sick if you don't keep the filter clean. Unfortunately, cheap air filters can cause more damage to the unit over time if you forget to constantly replace them. The main responsibility of your filter is to prevent contaminants such as pet dander and dust from reaching the air your family breathes. Dust, pollen and dirt are trapped deep in the air filter and a vacuum cleaner doesn't have the power to remove them all.
When an air filter is clean, its main function is to filter dust, mold spores, pollen and other matter suspended in the air. If you or a family member has been sneezing, coughing, and generally not feeling well, you may be sick or experiencing symptoms caused by a dirty air filter. Air filters help trap dirt, dust, pollen and other contaminants so they don't continue to circulate throughout the house. The problem is that when an air filter is dirty or “full” its ability to filter these particles decreases dramatically. When the air conditioner filter is dirty, you will easily notice the many symptoms it presents in the house. Therefore, after using the air filter for a few months, you should be sure to inspect it to determine if it needs to be changed or cleaned depending on the type. Larger homes require more volume of air to pass through the filter to service the entire house.
Fortunately, the symptoms of a dirty oven filter can give you clues that it's time to replace a clogged filter. These arrows indicate in which direction you should install the air filter to match the direction of the air flow. In addition to allowing less air to pass through, a dirty air filter could allow some particles to pass through. When homeowners are looking to improve the air quality in their home by updating their air filters they use it is best to consult a professional. The air filter helps trap all dust and other particles preventing them from entering the air and spreading. Believe it or not, the best way to start cleaning air filters is to not start at all - simply replace them.
