A pleated air filter should be replaced every 30-60 days. A 2-fold air filter should be changed every 3 months. A 3-fold air filter should be changed every 120 days. A 4-fold air filter should be changed 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 vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in the house, it is recommended to change the filter every 60 days or 2 months. For households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it is best to change the filter every 20-45 days.
Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you need to change the air filter. The life of an air filter depends on the type and quality of the filter being used. Pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) should be replaced every 90 days.
As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, its efficiency decreases. If you cannot replace the filter for an extended period, going beyond 90 days won't cause irreparable damage to your air conditioning system. An HVAC filter will only last one to three months on average, so it is important to keep track of when you installed them. If you wait too long to change the filter, indoor air quality will suffer.
You can hear it: Your HVAC technician is giving you lessons on how to make sure you change your air filter. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) scale provides professionals with a consistent standard to use when evaluating the quality of their air filters. However, if you have a smaller appliance for cooling, you may need to change the filter more often than a larger home. The lifespan of an air filter is also affected by the occupants of the home and its characteristics.
If you don't like replacing the air filter every two weeks, invest in a washable air filter. For your comfort and well-being, and possibly to help you save money in the long run, regular filter inspections and replacement should be part of routine air conditioner maintenance. However, if you need to run your system without an air cleaner, you shouldn't run it longer than six hours. Changing the filter more frequently ensures that it has enough surface area to trap contaminants that trigger symptoms among your loved ones.
By removing the air filter from the air handler and holding it close to a light source, you can see if it is dirty or clogged; if you can't see the light through it, it's definitely time to change it. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters that are designed to filter out small particles of bacteria, mold and mildew, but your standard MERV 8-11 filters will simply block out larger particles of dust, dirt & hair. That's why most companies refer to a particular scale when measuring the efficiency of their filters. But how often do you need to change the air filter? How often do you need to change the oven filter? Well, it depends.
