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Replacing the filter in your air conditioning and/or heating system regularly keeps your appliances working properly and your energy bills low. It's also a task that many homeowners forget about for months at a time, which can send your energy bill skyward and potentially contribute to other maintenance issues down the line. Read on to find out the best rate at which to change your air filter!
General Recommendations
So, how frequently should you change your air filter? The answers is: it depends.
Typical recommendations range from every 30 days for cheaper fiberglass filters (which often don't do a great job of filtering), to as long as 6 months for higher-end pleated filters. These estimates assume average use and take into account the type and size of your filter.
A general rule of thumb for pleated air filters (like ones made by FilterBuy) is to replace your filter every 90 days. As your filter traps more dirt, dust, and allergens from the air, filter efficiency decreases. Find out below if you should be replacing your filter more often.
Does someone in your home have asthma and/or allergies?
Those with asthma and/or allergies are much more sensitive to airborne particles than those without. If you have an asthma- or allergy-sufferer at home, change your filter every 6 weeks to ensure indoor air quality is at its best.
Do you have pets?
Cats and dogs shed and have odors that can build up in your space, making it necessary to change your filter every 2 months. Generally, cats and dogs shed most when winter turns to spring and summer turns to fall, which are key times to replace your filter.
Do you have young children?
Superior indoor air quality is especially important with kids around. Keep your home clean and air quality under control by replacing your vacuum filter every 2-3 months.
Factors that can affect your HVAC air filter's lifespan include:
The rate at which you use your heating and/or cooling system
If you live in a temperate climate and use your heater and/or air conditioner up to a few hours every day, a single filter can last you from a whole season to an entire year. If your HVAC system is running on a near-constant basis, however, change your filter every few weeks (especially if you're using a cheaper fiberglass filter).
The size of your home
Furnaces and air conditioners in smaller homes need to pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, which may mean less frequent filter changes. These appliances are often built with smaller filters, though, and thus may need to be changed just as regularly as a filter in a larger home.
The air quality within your home
The air within or outside your home will also affect your filter's replacement cycle. Pets or poor air quality, for example, will require you to replace your air filter more frequently.
How to Tell When Your HVAC Air Filter Needs Changing
Any use will lead to some amount of dirt being trapped in your air filter - that's its job, after all.
So how do you know when your filter has trapped too much dirt and needs to be replaced?
There's no strict guideline, but if your filter shows only a subtle layer of dirt under which the filter's material is still visible, your filter is in fine working order. Once it gets much beyond that point, it's ready to be changed out. If there's a visible coating of dirt covering most of your filter's surface that is adequately thick to obscure the filter material itself, that's a sign that your filter has been in your HVAC system far too long.
Every few weeks, take out your filter and give it a look! Is there a musty odor? Is the filter covered in dust? If in doubt, it's always best to err on the side of replacing your filter. They're relatively inexpensive, and that small cost to keep your heating and cooling vents clear will be well worthwhile when your energy bill comes due. If it's been a while since you've changed your filters, we can help you find the right size, brand, and type of HVAC air filter for your furnace and/or air conditioner. Contact Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning with any questions you may have.
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