In general, most air filters should be changed 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. The ideal is to change your air filter every three months, however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to change an old filter. 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, the efficiency of the filter decreases. If you're allergic, you'll want to make sure you take note of how often you change filters and that you always use the right type of filter. Poor air quality can cause a malfunction in your HVAC system. To prevent this, it's important to loosen the screws that hold the filter cover in place if it is located behind a return air vent or simply pull the filter out of a slot if it is on the side of the oven.
The service life and replacement cycle of the oven filter and air conditioner are affected by outdoor and indoor air quality. A clean filter is necessary to prevent dust from passing through the HVAC system, where it can accumulate in the internal coils of the air conditioner and reduce the efficiency of the unit. Filters receive a minimum efficiency report value (MERV), ranging from 1 to 16, although ratings 6 to 12 are best for residential furnaces. However, if replacing the air filter simply isn't possible for an extended period, going beyond 90 days won't cause irreparable damage to your air conditioning system.
No two houses are the same, so despite guidelines, you may need to change your boiler filter more often than your neighbor. A number of factors need to be considered when deciding how often to change an oven filter, and many filter manufacturers recommend how often your product should be replaced. While this is a good rule of thumb, you'll need to check your air filter more often to see if it needs to be replaced. While a filter with a higher MERV rating should last longer, it can also restrict airflow in your home.
Clogged filters not only negatively affect the air quality in a home, but also force the oven to work harder to draw air into the system and thus shorten its life. One of the most important things you can do on your own to take good care of your HVAC system is to simply change your air filter on a regular basis. Even if no one in the house is allergic, it's wise to change the oven filter frequently - as often as every 30 days if you have multiple pets - to keep the oven running efficiently. It's a general recommendation to change your home's air filter every 30 days when using less expensive fiberglass filters.
