Your Air Conditioner Filter Does More Than One Job

Many people think that an air conditioner filter is used only to reduce the amount of dust in their home and think of them only in that way. Although this is a very important job, it is not the only job that an air conditioner filter performs. It has another very important function that many are not aware of. This other function is possibly more important than how much dust a filter removes from your living space.

An air conditioner filter reduces the amount of dust that collects on the evaporator coil of your air conditioning system. The evaporator is one of the four main components of an air conditioning system and is located inside of the indoor fan section. Air conditioner filters are located before the evaporator and remove dust before it reaches the evaporator.

Everyone knows that any dust that passes through the filter returns to the living space and can be a problem for allergy sufferers and anyone else who is sensitive to dust and airborne pollutants.

What many people don't know is that air conditioner filters serve another important purpose. They prevent the evaporator coil from becoming plugged with dust, which restricts airflow and reduces the efficiency of the air conditioner.

The evaporator is constructed similar to a car radiator and like your car radiator; it requires a good supply of air to work properly.

As time passes dust collects between the fins of the evaporator coil and can even form a layer on the surface of the evaporator fins. This happens over a period of time and can take months and even years to cause obvious problems.

If your air conditioner develops a problem with ice build up and it was never a problem in the past, there are two probable causes. The evaporator coil is becoming dirty and restricting airflow, or you are not changing your air conditioner filter as often as necessary.

As airflow through the evaporator becomes more and more restricted, equipment efficiency begins to decline. If this condition becomes severe it can cause equipment breakdown and lead to costly repairs.

An efficient air conditioner filter not only cleans the air you breath it also helps to maintain your air conditioner in good working condition. The air conditioner performs at peak efficiency reduces service calls.