Maintaining a clean air filter in your home is essential for keeping your HVAC system running efficiently and ensuring the air you and your family breathe is free of contaminants. But how often should you change your air filter? The answer depends on a few factors, such as the type of filter you use, the climate you live in, and whether or not you have pets. A pleated air filter should be replaced every 30-60 days, while a 2-fold air filter should be replaced every 3 months. A 3-fold air filter should be changed every 120 days, and a 4-fold air filter should be replaced every 6 months.
In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may change depending on the location of your home (e.g. dry and dusty climates), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in your home, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days.
Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. The general recommendation for how often air filters should be changed can range from every 30 days to every year. Two of the determining factors for the life of a filter are the type and quality of the filter being used. Inside your home, there is an air handling unit that draws indoor air through the evaporator coil, where heat and moisture are extracted, leaving indoor air fresher and more comfortable. Air filters help clean the air in a heating and air conditioning system by removing unwanted debris.
If you wait too long to change the filter, indoor air quality will suffer. If you have poor outdoor air quality or pets indoors, you'll need to replace your air filter more often. The opposite is true for air conditioners that are used more than average or if the customer uses continuous fan mode. MERV 9-12 filters are perfect for people with allergies; the downside is that they can negatively reflect your electricity bill. If you have any questions, call a professional or the manufacturer of your air cleaner to determine its useful life. Check your air filter today and change it if you are behind schedule and enjoy fresh, clean air in your home.
