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The filter is an integral component of your furnace. Sadly, it’s the part we often don’t think much about. Suppose you finally check your furnace filter and find it’s discolored. You’ll probably ask yourself, “Why is my furnace filter black?”
A black filter often indicates that something isn’t right in your furnace. Understanding the blackening of furnace filters will help keep your furnace functioning efficiently and extend its lifespan.
In this blog post, the professionals from JC Heating & Cooling, reputed for expert furnace installation in La Grange, IL, explore the common reasons for blackened filters in furnaces and how you can deal with the problem effectively.
What’s the Role of a Furnace Filter?
Before we delve into the factors leading to darkened furnace filters, you should know what a furnace filter is and what it does. If you have a modern furnace, you’ll find this component next to the blower. It helps trap airborne particles and pollutants, keeping them out of your furnace unit.
The two primary types of furnace filters are:
- High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters. A HEPA filter captures large particles like hair, dander, skin cells, visible fragments, and fabric. It can efficiently trap contaminants as small as 0.3 microns.
- Active Charcoal Filters. An active charcoal filter helps keep microparticles out of your furnace. You may not see microparticles with the naked eye, but they can build up as quickly as larger particles and hamper your unit’s efficiency.
Common Causes of Black Furnace Filters
You want your furnace filter to always look, smell, and feel clean. However, particles will build up in the nooks and crannies of your filter over time, and it’ll turn black eventually. This will often lead to the question, “Why is my furnace filter black?”
Below are some of the common reasons your furnace filter is black.
Carbon Monoxide
If you have a blackened furnace filter, check carbon monoxide levels. Furnaces tend to produce carbon monoxide, which can leak into your house. This harmful gas usually leaves a sooty residue and turns your furnace filter black.
It’s worth noting that high concentrations of carbon monoxide can be deadly. Don’t hesitate to call a professional to inspect your system and home for any leaks and exhaust fumes.
Black Mold
If you neglect your furnace filter, it’ll gather dust, and this, combined with excessive moisture from wark condensation, can become a perfect breeding ground for mold spores. Mold growth can be as deadly as a carbon monoxide leak. However, you might pay more for its remediation.
The worst thing about black mold is that the infestation can quickly spread from your clogged furnace filter to the rest of your home.
Soot and Dirt
Remember, the work of the furnace filter is to trap dust and other particles in the air. That means the more airborne pollutants there are, the faster your filter will clog. If you take too long before you check your furnace filter, too much dirt could make it black.
You’re more likely to experience this problem if you have a fireplace, as it spreads smoke and soot into the air. These end up settling on the furnace filter.
Poor Air Flow
If you notice a black furnace filter, the reason could sometimes be an overly clogged or leaking venting system. This results in poor combustion in the furnace, which often leaves a build-up on the filter. A qualified heating and cooling system technician can inspect your venting system to see if the venting system is the problem and recommend the best course of action.
Replacing Your Furnace Filter
Cleaning your filter can help bring your furnace back to life. However, there’s no more effective way of addressing black residue on furnace filters than replacing the clogged filter.
It’s best to check your filter every 30 days and replace or clean it as necessary. Be sure not to go more than three months without changing your furnace filter!
Keep in mind that the longer you wait before changing your filter, the more clogged it’ll be and the harder your furnace will have to work to efficiently heat your home. As a result, your furnace will use more energy, and that means more money out of your pocket!
Various factors may also influence how often you replace your furnace filter, and they include the following:
- The type of filter you use. If you’re using the cheaper one- to two-inch filters, you should replace them at least once every three months. The three- to four-inch filters require replacement every six months, whereas the five- to six-inch, high-quality filters can go for nine to 12 months before needing replacement.
- Home occupancy. The more people living in your house, the more frequently you’ll have to replace your furnace filters. Humans generate several pollutants like dirt, hair, and skin cells.
- Furnace usage. The more frequently you run your furnace, the higher the amount of dust and debris that pass through your vents. That means you’ll need to change your filters more frequently.
- Pets. If you have pets, you may need to replace your filters more frequently than if you didn’t have pets. Pet hair and dander can get into your vents, clogging the furnace.
Now that you understand how often to change your furnace filter, how do you do it?
Replacing your air filter is a simple process, but you could damage your furnace if you don’t know what you’re doing. It is best to call a qualified professional when it’s time for furnace filter replacement to ensure the safety of your unit.
Contact JC Heating & Cooling, Inc. for High-Quality Heating and Cooling Services in La Grange, IL!
If you’re still asking, “Why is my furnace filter black?” or are looking for preventive measures for black furnace filter issues, talk to the experts at JC Heating & Cooling. We can effectively handle all your heating and air conditioning issues in La Grange, IL.
Call 708-968-3131 to schedule your service or to learn more about how frequently you should change your furnace filter!
