Why Is My Heating System’s Filter Black?

Don’t think of unfortunate surprises as being all that bad. If you check your heating system’s filter and notice that it is black instead of gray, you can feel some relief that you discovered a potential problem now as opposed to later. Depending on how serious the cause of the black filter, you may need to call in a maintenance pro. Why is the filter black? There can be several reasons.

Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Without a doubt, the presence of carbon monoxide in the home is cause for alarm. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas and can cause adverse health reactions. The source of the CM might be a leak in the furnace’s lines, or it could come from somewhere else. Since CM has no odor, you won’t even know its there. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector if you don’t have one.

Soot Travels in the Air

Does your home have a fireplace? If so, then soot could travel from the fireplace to the inside of the furnace. A problem may emerge when the fireplace has troubles with its vents. Amazingly, a raging fireplace isn’t necessary for this issue to emerge. Even burning candles can cause significant soot buildup that finds its way to the furnace filter.

Improper Gas Burning

A heating system can suffer problems due to broken or malfunctioning parts. The gas valves, heat exchanger or burners might suffer from issues that undermine gas-burning efficiency. As a result, the furnace produces excess soot. All that soot then collects on the filter, turning it black. The underlying problem here does require addressing, so, call in a pro.

Mold Growth

How could mold get into the filter? Sometimes, the moisture from an A/C evaporator coil leads to mold. The mold mixes with dirt that finds its way into the filter. When you see mold, you might need to call on someone who can perform the best possible removal job.

Contact TechnoAir in Grove City, Ohio. TechnoAir offers heating and cooling services as well. Grove City residents can even ask about routine services to make sure their system is optimized.