A dirty air filter can cause a variety of problems, from poor indoor air quality to engine misfires and rough idling. It can also reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, leading to higher energy bills. The most common symptoms of a dirty air filter are black smoke or flame in the exhaust, a gasoline smell in the exhaust pipe, engine misfires, rough idling, and hard starts. The dirty air filter restricts air supply to the engine, causing unburned fuel to form a soot residue that accumulates in the spark plug.
This fouls the spark plug (s) and decreases its ability to produce the spark needed for the combustion process. Changing the affected air filter and spark plugs will restore your engine's performance. In addition to affecting your car's performance, a dirty air filter can also affect your home's indoor air quality. The air filter prevents dirt and debris from circulating in the air throughout the house.
If the air filter is dirty or clogged, indoor air quality will be affected. Poor indoor air quality can cause flu-like symptoms for you or your family. If someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, it's even more important to remember to clean or replace the filter. A dirty air filter can cause asthma attacks or worsen allergy symptoms. A dirty air filter reduces the amount of air supplied to the engine.
This can cause an increase in unburned fuel that turns into soot residue. Soot can build up on spark plug tips, making them unable to produce a proper spark. In return, the car may move abruptly, idle, and in some circumstances, the engine may fail. Not only does a dirty air filter affect indoor air quality, but it can also reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. If left untouched, accumulation of dust and debris trapped in the household air filter restricts airflow.
This, in turn, forces your oven to work harder and use more energy to cool or heat your home. Just as your car's engine oil and air filter needs to be changed every 3,000 miles to protect the mechanical parts of your car, a clean filter protects your HVAC system from damage and ultimately from failure altogether. During the summer, evaporator coils are at risk of freezing if the air filters are dirty or clogged. Replacing the air filter before it clogs ensures that you don't have to change the spark plugs. Make sure your mechanic checks the air filter when you leave your car for service and follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding air filter replacement. Running your car without an air filter allows dirt, leaves, debris, insects and a multitude of air pollutants to enter. That's why a reduction in miles per gallon is usually a clear sign that you may need to replace your air filter. If air can't easily flow through the air filter, your HVAC blower has to work harder to circulate air around your home.
Note that the inner layers of filter paper inside the air cleaner may have no visible debris or dust and dirt, even in bright light. Your comfort is the main reason you have a heating and cooling system, and your comfort is sacrificed when the air filters are dirty or clogged.
