Why Are My Furnace Filters So Dirty? Here Are 4 Reasons

East Bay area homeowners are going to be spending a lot more time indoors in the coming months. At Hassler Heating, we want our customers to have a winter that’s cozy and warm, especially as the holidays approach. If you find yourself turning on your furnace and finding the filters are dirty or clogged, it’s time to take a closer look at the causes. Replacing furnace filters isn’t a big job, but it’s an avoidable nuisance that can end up affecting the efficiency of your unit. Here are some of the most common causes:

It’s Been Colder than Usual

The more often you’re running the furnace, the faster the filter gets clogged. More air is cycled through the filter when it goes through more heating cycles, meaning there’s more opportunity for the filter to catch unwanted particles. Winter is, obviously, a time that this could turn into an issue.

You’re Using a Cheap Filter

Not all filters are created equally! There are some filters that are designed to last only 30 days. If you’re using these filters, it’s easy to forget to replace them. If you’ve noticed that the frequency of replacements is a pain, it’s probably time to upgrade your filters.

You East Bay Home’s Air Contains Contaminants

Things like dust, mold, dirt, and pet dander can build up in the home. The more people living in the home, the more likely it is that these contaminants can get kicked around and up into the air. Once this happens, the furnace is left to circulate this air. Once filtered for cleanliness and safety, you can be left with dirty filters.

A great way to avoid this issue is to have your ducts sealed, your insulation evaluated, and your air sealing assessed to see if there are any areas that are letting any unwanted contaminants leak into your home.

Your Furnace’s is Set To “On”

Setting your furnace to “on” means its fans are running all the time. For 24 hours a day, the unit is circulating air and filtering through contaminants in the air. A simple solution for this is to switch to “auto” — the fan will only run when the temperature falls below a certain point and your home needs an interval of heat.

At Hassler Heating, we’re committed to keeping your heating systems running efficiently this winter. Get in touch with us to learn more about filter issues, and schedule an evaluation with us today!