What happens when your filter clogs up with dust and debris? The effects of a clogged HVAC air filter in your air conditioner or heat pump can cause failure of the system operation that will result in a call for an air conditioner repair service.
An ac, heat pump, gas furnace, electric furnace, or even an oil furnace needs the proper amount air flow across the coil or heat exchanger to operate properly. When the filter clogs the air flow is minimized the blower works harder and harder to pull the proper amount of air across the coil or heat exchanger. What are the effects of a clogged filter in your HVAC system?
Serious Harmful HVAC Issues Caused by a Dirty Clogged Air Filter
- Cause your air conditioner to stop cooling
- Cause your air conditioner to freeze up and when it thaws the water from the melting ice can overwhelm your condensate drain and cause water damage
- Cause a serious mechanical issue with your compressor in your air conditioner or heat pump technically referred to as liquid slugging
- Cause your furnace and/or heat to stop heating
Effects of a Clogged HVAC Air Filter
- As the system air flow is reduced from a restricted and clogged filter your air conditioner or heat pump (in cooling mode) evaporator coil will begin freezing up resulting in less and less air flow from the supply vents. The refrigerant is still flowing through the coils but with no air-flow there is no heat absorbed into the coils and refrigerant. The refrigerant falls below the freezing point and any moisture in the air around the coil begins freezing. It effectively turns the air conditioner or heat pump evaporator coil into a freezer. If the air filter is changed then you will still have problems until the evaporator coil is defrosted. With an air-conditioner you turn it off for several hours to allow it to thaw. With a heat pump you can simply turn it on heat mode and it will automatically defrost the evaporator coil. This problem can cause serious water damage to your home or business.
- Furnaces with clogged air filters will stop heating. As the air flow is restricted the heat in the heat exchanger gets higher and higher. Designed into every furnace are limit switches that will open when the temperature exceeds a designed temperature. When the high limits open the burners turn off and the heat stops. Many times these are automatic reset switches and will automatically reset when the temperature of the heat exchanger cools but if the clogged air filter is not corrected then the problem will recur and the furnace will not provide the proper amount of heat. Sometimes the limit switch will get stuck in the open position resulting in a service call from a contractor to replace the part.
Effects of a Clogged HVAC Air Filter
The effects of a clogged air filter in your HVAC system can end up causing damage to the air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace so make sure you keep the air filter clean and free of debris. One other big mistake that will have the same effect will closed off supply vents. Anything that reduces the air flow in your HVAC system is not good for it. Keep the supply vents open and filters clean and avoid costly repairs.
Effects of a Clogged HVAC Air Filter - HVAC
Have a forced air furnace with a filter. Was wondering if additional filters in the duck system outlets would hurt the furnace.
Have been told any additional filters would harm the furnace. The extra filters are kept clean.
furnaces need a certain volume of airflow and filters will block the airflow or reduce it. Get an electronic air filter.
You mentioned that a clogged air filter can make it so that your AC stops cooling and your furnace stops heating. I think that is what is going on with our HVAC system. We have been thinking about calling in someone to take and look and see what is going on. We will have to see if changing the air filter makes a difference.
In our A/C system the filter was very clogged. We called technician and he told us that compressor has gone bad it needs to be changed. Did the compressor go bad because of clogged filter?
It is a possibility yes, however with any major repair I always advise a second opinion even though it will cost you to get the second opinion it will be cheaper if the second opinion reveals the compressor to not be bad. Condemning a compressor is difficult in some situations simply because most compressors are hermetically sealed and cannot be disassembled to see the broken parts.
I crawled under my double wide mobile home to instal a ice maker water line for my new fridge. I noticed my vapor barrier was dropping really bad in one spot. I punched a small hole in the barrier material and water started pouring out. Had the mobile home dealer in to locate the leak. They told me it’s the A/C. They called in the A/C man and he said the filters across the condenser were so clogged that water was dripping straight down into the heat exchange and this was causing the water to collect in the barrier. Does this sound like a correct diagnosis?
Yes, it is entirely possible that is what occurred. I would also check the drain for the evaporator coil pan to make sure it is not plugged and that it has a proper trap. It also needs a grade to drain. All these things I would check to make sure this does not occur again. I would also replace any ductwork that got wet if it is flex duct. If it is hard duct I would make sure it was dry inside and out and then re-insulate.