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26.06.2024
Brooke Kirshne
Have you ever looked at your home’s air filters and noticed they’ve turned black? Don’t panic! It’s common, so don’t worry about it. The reason behind this color change is often related to two main factors: soot and mold. Even though a black air filter might seem concerning, the good news is that it’s generally not harmful. In our exclusive article, we’ll discuss why your air filter can end up looking black, explaining it in simple terms. So, let’s dive deep into this exclusive blog without further ado!
Soot Can Turn Your Air Filters Black
If your air filter is black, it is because of soot. But it means that your air filters are working perfectly fine. Otherwise, the soot would have been in your lungs instead of the air filters. That’s also where we realize the importance of high-quality air filters in HVAC systems. What’s causing soot accumulation on your air filters? The answer is obvious – fire!
Now, you might be surprised that there is no source of fire around your house, so where did the soot come from? There are a few common sources of fire in houses that people forget are actually fire.
For instance, when you light the wick of a candle, the black smoke blows out of it, and it is all soot. Since its temperature is high, it rises and gets sucked in by your intake vent. The filters in your HVAC system show their magic and prevent them from entering your home, which leads to color discoloration. Do you know how you can prevent your air filters from turning black?
Just stop burning candles. Yes, you heard it right! But if that’s not possible and you are a fan of scented candles, you can reduce soot with these tips:
- Trim the wicks to 1/4 inch.
- Ensure the candle flame is undisturbed.
- Avoid buying candles with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly.
- Consider buying candles that are hard to touch at room temperature (20-22° C).
Another cause of a black air filter could be your gas fireplace. Do you have it in your house? Then, you have another thing to blame for causing your air filters to turn black. When in operation, your gas fireplace burns a dirty and yellow fire that creates a significant amount of soot, and then it rises and gets sucked up by your AC intake vent. If you don’t want your air filters to turn black, consider following the below-listed tips.
- Do not use sagging, old, or broken logs.
- When the fire is on, keep all the glass doors open.
- Get your gas burner inspected by a professional from time to time.
From here in this section, we also get to know that if you use a low-grade or old filter, they might not be able to prevent the entry of soot, resulting in various health and respiratory issues.
Mold Can Be Responsible for Blackness
If the blackness in your air filter is wet and slimy, you can easily tell that it’s due to mold. And that’s a bigger problem than soot, but you don’t have to worry about anything if you check your HVAC air filters regularly. If it’s your first time finding mold on your air filters, it must not be older than three months, and you are safe from the long-term effects of mold exposure.
However, if it’s been a long time since you checked your air filters, you should be concerned about it. Those with symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and headaches should consult their healthcare provider immediately. In order to grow, mold needs moisture, and if you can see mold on your air filters, there must be an issue with the condensation drainage in your air conditioner.
When the drainage pipe of your AC gets damaged or if your system has back pressure, the moisture gets transferred to the air filters. You cannot fix this problem without technical expertise and knowing how the HVAC system works. You should call an HVAC professional to get this problem fixed ASAP.
Lack of Maintenance Can Cause This Issue
If you haven’t replaced your HVAC filters for a long time, too much debris must have accumulated on the air filters. In this case, you don’t have to worry about anything. However, you should change the filter in your HVAC system in no time. Also, establish an appropriate routine for changing your HVAC filters to ensure it never happens again.
Not changing the air filters at the right time can severely damage your HVAC system. There are a variety of factors that you need to consider in order to determine the right frequency for changing your HVAC filters, including system usage, environmental conditions, and many more. If you want to learn more about how often you should change the air filter on your HVAC system, give a read to this blog now!
Tips to Prevent Your Air Filters From Turning Black
If you don’t want your air filters to turn black, first of all, you should fix all the underlying issues. Then, you can follow our below-listed tips to prevent your HVAC filters from turning black:
Inspect Your Air Filters Regularly
If you don’t want your air filters to turn black, you should inspect your HVAC filters regularly. With regular inspections, which are typically done on a monthly basis, you can identify issues early and prevent soot accumulation and other contaminants.
Read More : How Often to Change a Furnace Filter
Address Fireplace Issues
Individuals with a fireplace in their house should keep it well-maintained to prevent their air filters from turning black. If your fireplace starts producing soot due to incomplete combustion, your air filter will turn black in no time. The maintenance of the fireplace includes chimney cleaning and proper ventilation.
Use Quality Fuel for Heating
Do you have a heating system in your home that uses fuel to operate? If yes, ensure you use high-quality fuel, as low-quality fuels can produce more soot, causing your air filters to turn black. Also, get a professional to inspect your heating unit for any issues that might contribute to increased soot production, including debris blocking the flue, lack of oxygen, etc.
Decrease Indoor Air Pollution
To ensure your air filters don’t turn black, you should try to reduce indoor pollution. You should focus on minimizing activities that produce soot, like excessive cooking without proper ventilation or burning candles. All this will decrease the number of airborne particles, causing the air filter to turn black.
Read More : Best Air Purifying Plants For Indoor Use
HVAC Maintenance is a Must
Get your HVAC inspected and cleaned by professional technicians to ensure it operates at its maximum efficiency and prevent issues like air filters turning black. You should get your HVAC system serviced by professional technicians at least once or twice a year.
On the Final Note
The air filters of your HVAC system can turn black due to mold or soot accumulation. However, this issue can also manifest if you don’t maintain your HVAC system. If you don’t want this issue to occur, you should avoid activities that produce soot, and if the mold has blackened your air filters, get your system repaired immediately.
For air filters that have turned black due to a lack of maintenance, regular inspection and air filter replacement are necessary. If you think it’s the right time for filter replacement, visit Custom Filters Direct for high-quality HVAC filters. You can consult our air filter experts for assistance if you are struggling to find the right filter for your HVAC system.
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