Can a Dirty Air Filter Stop My AC From Working in Boiling Springs, SC?

Can a dirty air filter stop my AC from working? If you've relied on your Spartanburg County HVAC system for a long time, you’re not alone if you’ve wondered how long you can delay an air filter change. However, with the oppressive summer heat in Boiling Springs, you’ll want your air filter to be sparkling clean if your air conditioning system is going to keep up.



Filters keep pollen and dust out while controlling the temperatures and humidity across an entire home. Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling, a skilled AC repair technician in Boiling Springs, SC, shares more about the importance of air filters and timely replacements below.

Can a Dirty Air Filter Stop My AC From Working in Boiling Springs, SC?

Yes, clogged air filters can stop your air conditioner from working. 

In the unpredictable Boiling Springs, South Carolina, weather, any HVAC professional will tell you that this combination of warm water vapor and dust wreaks havoc on your HVAC system internally. If you add clogged air filters to that system, the air conditioner will have to work harder to pump air, and the system will take strain.

What if you don't clean or replace your air conditioner filter for a while? Firstly, the unit’s delicate compressor will likely overcompensate, thanks to all the heat trapped inside the system. It may also freeze the coils, which will cause water leaks around your unit. 

If you’d like to ensure that the air conditioner remains optimal and avoid the above problems, the solution is simple–clean and inspect your air filters every three months. Removing the gunk, fluff, and dust ensures the air filters can do their job and your ventilation system works.

What Problems Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause?

Can a dirty air filter stop my AC from working? Yes, and worse.

Are you having trouble maintaining a comfortable temperature indoors? When did you last change the unit’s air filter? Whether with your air conditioner system directly or your family’s health, a clogged-up air filter has the potential to do some real damage. 

Here are a few problems that point to an air filter issue:

Short Cycling

If your air conditioner is turning on and off way too often, it might be that your air conditioner’s efficiency has been compromised. However, the more likely scenario is that the dirty air filter isn’t allowing the hot air out of the unit as it should, and so the system is overheating. It may turn off prematurely only for the unit’s thermostat to realize that the room isn't cool and restart the unit.

The system will then run for another short period before cutting out again, and your Boiling Springs home won’t cool down. Of course, this short cycling also wears out components like starters and compressors faster. Remembering to replace air filters could save you a lot of money.

Allergies

If you run your air conditioner without a proper air filter, allergens can get into your ventilation system and pollute your breathing air. While having an air filter is better than no air filter, a dusty one is unsafe. 

Dirty air filters make for dirty air inside your home, which can cause sickness and exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma.

Bills

While money may not be the first thing you associate with a dirty air filter, it is part and parcel of maintaining the unit’s efficiency. If your air filter causes overheating problems inside your air conditioner, you’ll be paying it for repairs or early replacement parts, which adds up. 

Additionally, the harder your air conditioner needs to work, the more your electricity bill will go up. Simply keeping the air filter clean solves all these problems in one go.

Total System Failure

Lastly, in the event of some extreme overheating from an overstuffed air filter, your air conditioner may stop working entirely. Your air conditioner will lose all functionality at that point, whether it stems from a broken compressor or overworked temperature sensors. 

How can you avoid a cooling system failure in the long run? HVAC professionals cleaning and servicing your air conditioner, including its filters, makes a huge difference.

Trust Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling’s HVAC Experts in Boiling Springs, South Carolina

Can a dirty air filter stop my AC from working? Do you know when to replace your HVAC system in Boiling Springs, South Carolina?

Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling addresses all your air conditioner and heater problems with competitive prices and quick service. To learn more, call 864-531-7732!