What would the air quality in a home be like if a furnace didn’t have a filter? Truthfully, the interior air quality would come off as awful. A filter serves the vital purpose of trapping dirt and more. When a screen turns stark black, however, assume there may be something out of the ordinary occurring. Maybe a closer examination is warranted to determine why the filter is so black.
The Filter is Too Old
The same filter can’t stay inside a furnace forever. At some point, all the little holes in the screen will clog up. Worse, issues may soon take place if that old filter isn’t removed. Besides a reduction in air quality, you may find that your furnace shuts down again and again because it overheats. It is important to replace an old, clogged filter without delay. Lion Home Service can handle filter replacement and other services.
Too Much Soot in the Furnace
A filter could become darker faster than expected due to an increased amount of soot inside the furnace. Is it producing extra soot due to some defect? Or, have you neglected to clean the interior of the heater? Either way, excess dirt and soot could mean that the filter gets dirtier quicker. So, don’t ignore spot checks on the filter.
Mold Grows Inside the Furnace
The presence of mold may seem horrible, but it isn’t all that uncommon. Moisture causes spores to grow into black mold, and the mold can stick to the filter. Getting rid of the filter might not be enough, though. You may need a thorough heating system cleaning as well as mold testing and removal.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks
Carbon monoxide can turn filters black, and the presence of CM is incredibly dangerous. Have a pro check out the furnace to determine whether there’s a leak. And, do you have a CM detector in your home?
Call Lion Home Service to see what we can do for you. We specialize in heating repair and maintenance and want to address your concerns. Fort Collins residents can ask about heating, cooling, electrical and even roofing work.
