One of the most important parts of any heating system in a home is the air filter.

The filter serves a vital function of keeping dust, dirt, and debris from getting into the heating system, settling on equipment and causing long-term damage to the heater including its internal components.

Besides protecting the heaters internal components, the air filter also helps to filter the air in a home as well ensuring that people who have allergies or breathing issues are able to breathe easily.

Why Is Your Air Filter Black?

Let’s say that you recently pulled your air filter out and found that the filter has a black color. Thankfully, there are a variety of reasons why this happened including the following:

Soot from candles – If you’ve enjoyed burning candles in your home lately, the black air filter could be a result of excessive soot that’s been collected from your candles.

One of the best things that you can do is limit the number of candles that you burn in your home since soot can also settle on your walls, floors, and lungs of any residents in the home.

You should also replace your air filter and check it again within 1-2 weeks to see if your filter has retained it’s light color.

Fireplace Soot – Do you have a fireplace in your home? If so, you should have it checked to make sure that your fireplace is venting as it should because excessive soot from a fireplace can also lead to a black air filter.

Carbon Monoxide – Another reason for a black air filter is carbon monoxide. This could be caused by your fireplace or any other combustion appliance that you may have in your home.

To ensure that your home isn’t dealing with high levels of carbon monoxide you should have all of your carbon monoxide detectors checked immediately. You should also have your fireplace and other combustion appliances checked as well to ensure that they are functioning normally.

Mold – Last of all, but most important, another reason why your air filter is black could be due to your air conditioners evaporator coil becoming damp with condensation. Once this happens that condensation can also collect dust and dirt then transfer to your furnace, eventually turning to mold if it’s not been cleaned in months.

Prevent this problem from happening to you by having your furnace cleaned as soon as possible especially if you want it to continue functioning normally during colder months when you may use it the most.

When to Change Your Furnace Air Filter

Thanks to recent data from the National Fire Protection Association we know that a clogged air filter can block airflow and also cause premature breakdown of the heater itself.

Prevent your heater breaking down and commit to changing your heaters air filter every 60 to 90 days because this will also ensure that your system will continue running as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Contact Air Care Heating and Air Conditioning

A furnace that’s been professionally maintained will function better, lower your monthly energy costs and (949) 482-2911 or connect with us online.