Causes of Filters Clogging Too Fast

As any homeowner will know, furnace filters and their regular replacement are some of the most important parts of a home HVAC system. These filters help collect contaminants and dust particles from the air, protecting you and your family from everything from allergens to simple annoyances.

At All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help with any and all filter-related questions in your home. One of the most common we receive: Why is my furnace filter getting dirty so fast? Here are a few of the most common reasons why a filter may clog more quickly than usual.

Pet Hair and Dander

If you have any shedding pets inside your home, know that filter issues might become common for you. Pets give off hair and other dander that can easily make its way into the filter. To help ward this off, vacuum the home regularly and brush your pets at least a few times a week.

Extreme Temperatures

When temperatures are at an extreme, your HVAC system is naturally strained to a greater degree – it has to stay on for longer periods, meaning more air flows through the filter during a given period of time. During seasons like this, it often makes sense to shorten up your replacement time.

General Dust

There are a few possible reasons for dust in the home, from a recent construction project to rooms you don’t use often that simply accumulate dust. All this can clog the filter.

Fan Settings

On a given thermostat, you’ll have the option to set your fan to ON or AUTO. When it’s on AUTO, it only blows when the system is actively heating or cooling. When it’s set to ON, though, it runs continuously – just like with extreme temperatures, this means more air passing through the filter and faster clogs. Change the setting to AUTO to get longer life out of your filters.

MERV Ratings

The MERV rating of a filter refers to the degree of fineness with which particles can be caught. If you have a high MERV rating, your filter can trap smaller and smaller particles. This means that the higher the MERV rating, the faster the filter will fill up.

For more on areas that can fill your furnace filters faster than usual, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the pros at All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling today.