Using Your Royalton Furnace Without a Filter? Here’s Why That’s a Problem

Royalton may have nice, balmy summers that make it ideal for getting out and being active, but what happens when those 85-degree highs turn into 34-degree ones? Worse yet, those near-freezing winter temps can dip well below that overnight to 18 degrees, making you want to crank your furnace even higher. In doing so, you may be trading quality air for heat since that’s what happens if there is no filter in the furnace.

At Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing Repair, we don’t want you settling for your indoor controlled climate. That’s why we work 24/7 to provide you and your neighbors with HVAC services in Royalton, IN. Below, our unmatched team explains why a furnace filter is crucial and how to care for it for the best temperature and air quality results. 

What Is the Job of Royalton Furnace Filters?

Furnace filters comprise a meshy surface that sits on the door or tray in the blower compartment. Since the blower motor draws household air into the furnace, having the filter there allows it to cleanse any air carrying dust, dander, and other contaminants before it enters the furnace. The allergens stick to the surface rather than pass through with the air, leaving only clean air in your system. 

The filter could also sit near the return air duct—the vent that brings air from your Royalton home into the system. You’ll find it where this duct and the furnace meet. It could also be near the air handlers in a sliding compartment. 

The Effects of Not Having a Royalton Furnace Filter

So, what happens if there is no filter in the furnace? It could take a toll on your system and your family.

Your Unit Struggles With Internal Debris 

No filter means debris could enter your unit without end, layering on internal components and keeping them, especially lubricated ones, from running smoothly. You may hear grinding or banging as moving parts try to function as usual, even with the filth in the way. Clicking or popping from a dirty ignition system or rumbling from a nasty burner are just a few of the other sounds that come from dust buildup.

Your Royalton system as a whole works harder than usual to put forth your usual temperatures, which lowers its energy efficiency and raises your energy bills. Still, that’s not the only reason you’ll be paying more. Coil damage, motor strain, and other premature wear occur as the parts try to override the existing issues, leading to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. 

Unfortunately, each breakdown takes an irreversible toll on your system, shortening its average 15-to-20-year lifespan. Eventually, a repair (or even multiple) won’t suffice, and you’ll need to purchase a new system. Luckily, you can avoid paying all these hefty fees in such a short period by simply adding a filter to your Royalton unit. 

Your Family Suffers From Poor Air Quality

Now that you know what happens if there is no filter in the furnace with respect to the unit, what about the effects on your loved ones? Royalton, an unincorporated community in Zionsville, usually has a good air quality ranking, making it one of the cleaner cities. However, if you live in an industrial area, on a farm, or with pets, your air quality might be lower than in other nearby areas. 

More than ever, you need a quality filter in these cases. Without one, you’ll see pollutants settling on your shelves, furniture, and other parts of your home. Worse yet, visible contaminants will spew from your air vents, leading to any number of health issues, including:

• Irritations like watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing
• Asthma and allergy attacks 
• Respiratory infections
• Breathing issues from fungal spores

Caring for Your Filter

Once you install a filter, enjoy clean air and worry less about internal unit damage. However, filters eventually clog, causing reduced airflow. In turn, your system will overheat, you’ll have a cooler indoor climate, and overflowing particles on the mesh can reenter your breathing air. 

So consider replacing or cleaning your filters every three to four months. That, alongside regular maintenance, should keep everything functioning as it should.