No one wants to deal with an HVAC unit that is not cooling like it should. Unfortunately, your system always seems to break when summer temperatures reach their highest. The breakdown is often because summer is when your unit works the hardest. If your system is not cooling as it should, there are several things you may want to check before you call for a professional HVAC repair, and your air filter is the first thing. How important are your air filters, and what other problems may they cause? Here is some information to help you understand how they work. 

What Is The Purpose Of A HVAC Air Filter?

Your air filter is a removable component of your HVAC system that helps cleans the dust, pollen, dander, mold spores, and other small particles from your home's air. Your filter traps these elements and keeps your HVAC system from recirculating them through your home. They also keep larger particles from entering your HVAC and damaging it. 

Depending on what type of HVAC system you have, different types of filters are available. Some of these are as follows, listed from the least to the most expensive:

• Fiberglass
• Pleated
• HEPA

Your system may have a UV (Ultraviolet) filter built into it. These filters differ from the above types as UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, bacteria, and other air microorganisms. While they kill these elements as they pass through the filters, they are not as efficient at removing dust and dander from the air. 

What Happens When Your HVAC Filter Becomes Dirty?

When your HVAC filters become dirty, they can cause numerous problems that will lead to you needing an HVAC repair. The dirty filter restricts airflow into your system's air handler. The restricted airflow causes your unit to operate less efficiently than it should. It may also cause a build-up of ice on your air conditioning coils.

Not only will your clogged system not cool your home, but it can also lead to your system overheating due to the additional pressure on your unit. A dirty filter can also cause increased energy usage. Increased usage means higher energy bills. 

A clogged filter can also circulate unclean air throughout your home, making your home's air unhealthy and stagnant. When dirty or clogged, the filter can no longer capture all the microorganisms it protects you and your family against. The decreased efficiency can cause an increase in allergy or asthma symptoms for you and your family.  

For more info about HVAC repair, contact a local company.