Ah, yes… The air filter. An essential part of every forced-air heating and cooling system. This rectangular insert made of cardboard and mesh, whose sole purpose is just to get dirty and then be thrown out, can become a harbinger of doom. When taken for granted, the air filter can restrict airflow and cause your HVAC system to display several troubling symptoms just short of disaster. All because someone forgot to change it when it got too dirty!
But seriously speaking, air filters are perfectly safe and very necessary. Without them, your HVAC system’s sensitive components would become contaminated. But it’s true that if it isn’t changed regularly, it can cause some issues, such as: