Hi Sean, post number 18 clogged indoor air filters will cause the amp draw to go down on the compressor. They will not hurt the compressor, a clogged outdoor condenser would cause head pressures to go up and increase the load on the compressor, but all compressors are protected from overload, so it’s not likely the filters had anything to do with it.
If you really care, you can put a differential gauge on both sides of the filter and you can tell how much the air is getting restricted and just change the filter accordingly, of course the dirtier the filter the better filters, but there is a point where you have to change it allowing enough air movement for efficient operation.
In all of my for air heating and cooling systems I use a thick 4 inch pleated filter, followed by an electrostatic filter to get the ultrafine dirt out of the airstream. This is especially nice both at home and at work.
The 4 inch pleated filters only need changing every year or so a little more often at work the electrostatic filters get washed about twice a year.
At home, I run the blower 24 hours a day except during the cooling season, which would increase the humidity by leaving the fan on when the compressor shuts off.
John L
