In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. A general rule of thumb for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to replace the filter every 90 days. As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, its efficiency decreases.
It is important to keep track of the date you installed the filter, as waiting too long to change it can lead to a decrease in indoor air quality. If you have an asthmatic or allergic person at home, it is recommended to change the filter every 6 weeks to ensure that the indoor air quality is the best. Homeowners may forget to change HVAC filters for months, which can cause dust, debris, and allergens to build up. During allergy season, air filters can work overtime to remove allergens, dust, and other debris circulating through the heating and cooling system.
Some manufacturers recommend replacing air filters every 30 to 60 or 90 days, depending on the type of air filter. It is not recommended to use the HVAC system without an air cleaner as it would not be able to remove particles and airborne contaminants from the interior airspace. The more folds an air filter has, the better its chances of removing contaminants from the indoor air. According to experts, you should get a filter with a MERV score of 6 to 8 for optimal performance.
The lifespan of an air filter also depends on the size of the home, as larger homes circulate more air through the air filters. If someone in the household suffers from severe allergies, it is recommended to change air filters very often; in some cases, every two weeks. When the air cleaner is clogged, the HVAC unit requires a lot of extra work to circulate fresh air throughout the house; this extra work requires more electricity. Studies have shown that the air in your home can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
When you begin to notice an increase in air particles or contaminants, it is time to change your filter more frequently. A good rule of thumb is that if debris needs to be vacuumed more frequently from the floor, it can be safely said that this debris also goes to the air filters.
