The short answer to this question is, “yes,” but don’t worry, we will elaborate below…
Many homeowners don’t realize the true nature of the standard HVAC air filter, thinking that it has to do with their indoor air quality. This air filter does help with your indoor air quality, but its purpose goes beyond that. In fact, if you’re relying only on this air filter to protect your indoor air quality, then you’re likely not doing enough–but that’s a subject for another day.
The purpose of this particular air filter is to protect the interior components of the HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and damage its components. It’s a very small part of your air conditioner, but it has a pretty big job! As you might guess, it gets clogged up with dust and other debris over time, and therefore, it has to be changed out.