How are they getting AC filter so dirty?

Question

Here is a picture of AC filters from a duplex that I changed yesterday. A side was replaced at 2 months and B side at 3 months. What are your thoughts on what the tenants are doing on the A side to get the AC filter that dirty. Is it just the kids running in and out the backdoor bringing dirt in? I'm going to have to start changing the A side every month!

Theresa Harris · Answer

Account Closed  Look where the air intake is.  It could be there is more dirt on the floor by the air intake or they are sweeping dirt down there not realizing it is the air intake for the the HVAC.  Also does one side have pets and a solid surface flooring?

Show them the filters and ask out of curiosity.

Aaron K. · Answer

Account Closed could be they are just running it more, if you don't turn it off at night it will run 30% + more.

Account Closed · Answer

@Mike Kirby

Let’s, time, kids, and they aren’t vacuuming or sweeping or swiffering etc ever. They’re either pigs in some way or ac happy. Either way filters are cheap like borscht, buy 12 and instruct to change them monthly.

Kyle D Birch · Answer

@Mike Kirby

I just had an issue with a Tennant who was complaining ally air quality and the filters would be horrible after a month. They also had a newborn who was sick and they accused me of not keeping safe living conditions in the apartment. I went on Groupon and found a service to clean all the ducts and returns. I was skeptical of what I read online as I believed it was a ripoff. Long story short, the vents/returns were horrible from the remodel and after a cleaning the baby is healthy and the filters are much cleaner.

Have you had them cleaned recently?

Pat L. · Answer

Saw a similar one where the tenants were vaping a lot. No idea what they vaped but it did leave a residue.

Then again I had this new evap coil look like this after 6 months from smokers.

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

Do they have a pet, or use candles and/or air fresheners? Pets are obvious, they shed hair and dander which ends up in the air. Candles and air fresheners release soot or volatile oils (the scent) which stick to the dust and filter causing it to accumulate quicker. Those would be my guesses.

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks for all the great replies! I think we have narrowed it down to 2 little boys running in and out leaving the back door open a lot. There are no pets and they don't smoke inside, the place looks really clean. She did tell me she sprays air freshener a lot so I'm just going to swap AC filters more often on that side. I'll know for sure with the next tenants. Thanks again everyone.

John Pierce · Answer

@Mike Kirby

I give all of my tenants 12 filters when they sign a lease and tell them change it every month.  When they renew the lease I ship 12 more from Amazon.

My HVAC service calls have decreased dramatically since I started doing this.

Wesley W. · Answer

You could also unscientifically sniff the filters to see if that gives you a clue.  My first thought would be pets or smoking.  Both I think you could identify by the smell of the filter.

Justin B. · Answer

@Mike Kirby hey always use the cheapest filters and change them once a month the Units will last

Longer , most dust is human skin anyways tell them to shower more often. Haha jk but seriously

Use the cheaper ones so it don’t work as hard

How are they getting AC filter so dirty?

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