Is your AC filter getting dirty too fast? Here are some common causes and ways to keep your home’s air clean and your system running efficiently.
Have you ever changed your AC filter, only to find it clogged again just weeks later? You’re not alone. At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we hear this question often from homeowners across the St. Louis metro area. A dirty AC filter isn’t just annoying — it can strain your system, spike your energy bills, and even affect your health.
0 stars if I could. Bought a faulty (not to mention overpriced) surface igniter, called back five minutes later after installing, of course they didn’t stand behind their part. Go to Grainger instead. Same (working) part, half the price.
Response from the owner:Hi there. I am unable to locate your customer profile. Please give our office a call at 314-471-7625 so we can get this figured out for you.
From the phone to the completion of the job everyone is so polite and informative. I had Giovani as our representative and he was very informative and professional, and knew exactly what the problem was. Thanks so much.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Frank! We appreciate you and your business.
My furnace was not working. A very nice gentleman came out this morning and fixed the problem and now I have much needed heat. He was very professional and courteous. I will definitely be using them again when the need arises.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the positive feedback! We're glad to hear that you were pleased with our prompt and friendly service. We look forward to assisting you again in the future!
I will always call Hoffmans for my air and heat needs. They were out to my daughters house that day and fixed it. It was right before the weekend storm with below zero temps the next day. They saved my daughter and grandbabies. I could never thank them more.
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear that we could help! Thank you for the kind review.
Snow and drifting snow covered intake and out take vents causing the furnace emergency to shut off furnace. Cleaned off the driftibg/ snow off roof and vents furnace works perfect now. Thank you and great job Nick.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Scott! We appreciate your support.
5 stars! Nick was here to fix my heater within 2 hours of my call. He explained the problem to me thoroughly and got the job done quickly & professionally. Thank you so much!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Jennifer! Glad we could help.
Extremely thorough and educational. They do a wonderful job of explaining everything and making sure I was comfortable knowing how the systems worked in my house!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Matthew! We appreciate your support.
I noticed a strange noise that I was concerned was linked to my furnace. I called Thomas Hoffman Heating & Cooling and Nick came right out. He was very thorough checking all components. Thankfully all checked out for us this visit. Definitely recommend Thomas Hoffman Heating & Cooling!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind review, Abby! We appreciate your business and look forward to servicing you in the future.
Thomas Hoffman is a wonderful company to work with. Techs are knowledgeable, personable & efficient.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Christine, for your kind words about our team; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear you had a positive experience!
Got a quote over the phone. Everything was explained thoroughly. Dakota, my technician arrived and on time, was very professional and knowledgeable. He didn’t try to upsell or change anything. He did a great job. We can already tell the difference since the ducts and vents were cleaned. Would recommend an use Hoffman again in the future.
Response from the owner:Happy to hear you had a pleasant experience using Thomas Hoffmann!
The technician, Ryan, was knowledgeable and helpful in identifying the issue with our mini split AC unit. They are the second company we called after issues with the first and will be using Hoffmann again.
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear your experience with Thomas Hoffmann was pleasant. Thank you for your kind review, & we look forward to working with you in the future!
woke up to a very cold house, called Thomas Hoffmann, they were able to come out a couple of hours later and get the issue resolved. Always trust them, they have always been quick to respond and get either the heating or ac issue fixed that day. Also a great price!!!! give them 10 stars if i could, Thank You JS
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Jim. We are happy to hear that you had a positive experience working with Thomas Hoffmann!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Hank, for your wonderful feedback; we're glad you enjoyed the fast, friendly, and professional service, and we'll be sure to keep up the great work!
The technician Giovanni was excellent and on time very professional and efficient and knowledgeable of the project at hand ,gave great advice but most of all did great work 👏 thank you .
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear you had a great experience, Sam! Thank you for the review, and thank you for your business.
Your service technician was very professional and knowledgeable. And did not appear to try to give me bogus information. I truly appreciate his honesty because several other companies did not appear to be honest, obviously wasn’t honest, my gut feeling told me they were not honest and tried to get me to spend $10,000 for a problem that was much simpler to fix. I look forward to you servicing all my properties, and possibly those of the rest of my family.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words and great review! We appreciate your support.
Very prompt, communication was great, and the workers were very polite. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lianne! We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate your high recommendation.
Water heater repaired, appointment done the same day, effective, courteous
Response from the owner:Thank you, Leticia! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that the water heater was repaired promptly and effectively. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
The service tech Giovanni did a fantastic job. Our gas fireplace is working like new again so we’re ready for the cold weather!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mr, for your fantastic review! We're glad to hear Giovanni provided you with excellent service and professionalism. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would.
Last night our furnace went out unexpectedly, and with three kids in the house, the temperature dropped fast. Giovanni went above and beyond in every way possible. Instead of charging me a late-night service fee, he simply asked, “Are you decently handy?” and offered to walk me through some troubleshooting steps to get our heat back on so my children wouldn’t have to sleep in the cold.
Not only did he guide me through the process, he even FaceTimed me and showed me exactly what to take apart, how to put it back together, and what signals to watch for. It felt like having a real technician standing right next to me the entire time. Thanks to him, our heat was restored within minutes.
In a world where true customer service is hard to come by, Giovanni is a rare find. It is a guaranteed fact that any future repairs, maintenance, and the new heater/AC system we’ll be needing this coming summer/fall will absolutely be done through him. His honesty, kindness, and expertise have earned our business for life.
Highly, highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear Giovanni was able to help you and your family during that tough situation. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your trust in our services for the future!
My neighbor referred these guys to me when had water heater problem. Previous company told me I needed to replace it. Tom’s technician fixed it for less than $200. This was over 2 years ago and have been using their service ever since. They are very trustworthy.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your experience and for trusting us with your water heater issue; we're glad our technician could help and that you've continued to rely on our services!
I called this company earlier today because I was having a bunch of issues with my HVAC system. They were incredibly friendly and walked me through troubleshooting step by step over the phone. They didn’t even charge me for the call. Thanks to their honest advice, I was able to get things running smoothly again. Really grateful for their help and would definitely recommend them if you want straightforward and trustworthy service. Five stars all the way!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the glowing review, Hector! We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future.
Nick did not set current time. — Monday Hoffmans Zach came to fix correct time. We DID NOT want a timed thermostat — we prefer to set temperatures manually
Response from the owner:Thank you, Pat, for your kind words about Giovanni; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that he made a positive impression.
Clear communication about arrival, service and costs.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret, for your kind words! We appreciate your feedback on our clear communication and are glad you had a positive experience.
I will highly recommend this business for your air and heater repair. Prompt, knowledgeable and courteous service.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Judy, for your kind words and recommendation! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our prompt and courteous service.
Why Is My AC Filter Getting Dirty So Fast?
There’s no single answer — but there are common culprits we see all the time in Missouri homes:
1. You’re Using the Wrong Filter Type
Not all filters are created equal. Some filters (like high-MERV or HEPA) trap more dust and allergens — but that also means they clog faster. If you’re using a high-efficiency filter in a home that doesn’t need it, it may be overkill.
Tip: Ask a licensed HVAC technician to recommend the right filter for your system and lifestyle.
2. You’re Running Your System Constantly
St. Louis summers get hot — and when the AC runs non-stop, it pulls more air (and more dust) through the filter. That speeds up the clogging process.
Tip: Use a programmable thermostat to manage indoor temps efficiently. Also, make sure your system is properly sized — oversized units short-cycle, while undersized ones overwork.
3. You Have Pets
Dogs, cats, and other furry friends shed dander and hair, which your filter has to trap. Pet hair can coat a filter faster than you’d expect.
Tip: Change your filter more frequently if you have pets — especially during seasonal shedding.
4. Your Home Has Poor Air Circulation
Dust settles when air doesn’t move. If your home is tightly sealed or has blocked vents, your system may suck in more dust than necessary.
Tip: Keep return vents clear, use ceiling fans to improve circulation, and consider a home ventilation audit.
5. You Haven’t Sealed Your Ductwork
Leaky ducts can pull in dirt and insulation from unconditioned areas, such as attics or basements, sending it directly to your filter.
Tip: Have your ductwork inspected. Sealing leaks improves airflow, comfort, and efficiency.
6. You’re Renovating or Recently Did Construction
Home improvement projects release fine dust, drywall particles, and debris that quickly overwhelm air filters.
Tip: Use temporary high-efficiency filters during renovation and change them often.
7. Outdoor Air Quality Is Poor
Wildfires, pollen season, and local pollution all affect indoor air quality. Your filter works overtime when outside air is bad.
Tip: Keep windows closed on high-pollen or pollution days and consider using an air purifier for added protection.
How a Dirty AC Filter Affects Your HVAC System
If you’re thinking, “It’s just a little dust,” think again. A clogged air filter can cause serious HVAC problems:
❌ Reduced airflow, leading to poor cooling and uneven temperatures.
❌ Frozen coils that cause breakdowns or expensive repairs.
❌ Higher energy bills because your system works harder than it should.
❌ Dustier home and worsening indoor air quality.
❌ Shortened system lifespan due to excess wear and tear.
How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter?
Home Type
Suggested Filter Change Frequency
No pets, minimal dust
Every 2–3 months
One pet
Every 1–2 months
Multiple pets or allergies
Every 30 days
Post-renovation
Every 2–4 weeks
Still unsure? Ask Thomas Hoffmann AC & Heating to check it during your next maintenance visit.
✅ Schedule regular maintenance — our technicians can clean components, inspect your system, and suggest upgrades.
✅ Upgrade to a whole-home air purifier or UV system to reduce airborne particles before they even reach the filter.
✅ Seal your ducts and weather-strip doors and windows to keep out unwanted debris.
✅ Use high-quality, pleated filters that balance filtration with airflow — we can help you choose the best fit.
✅ Mark your calendar or set reminders to check your filter monthly.
Need Help? Call Your Local HVAC Experts
At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we’ve served homeowners across St. Louis, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Ballwin, and surrounding communities for decades. We’re locally owned — not a corporate chain pretending to be “local” — and we take pride in helping our neighbors breathe easier.
