In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies suggest changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This can differ depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets at home, it is recommended to change the filter every 60 days or every 2 months. For homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it is best to change the filter every 20 to 45 days.
Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't get much use usually wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months.The more you use your home, the more often you'll need to replace your air filter. Generally, a fiberglass air filter should be changed approximately once every 30 days, or as recommended by the manufacturer. A pleated air filter should be replaced approximately once every three to six months. However, the frequency of air filter replacement depends on several important factors, such as the home, the occupants and their location. Fibreglass air filters are more affordable but less efficient at capturing dust and particles from the air.
If you install an air filter with a MERV rating higher than the one recommended by the boiler or air conditioner manufacturer, you could impair the performance of the heating and cooling system. Now you understand how essential it is to change air conditioning filters regularly. But how do you know when it's time to change them? As a general rule, it's best to replace filters at least once every three months. However, some homeowners may need to do this more often. The ideal frequency depends on certain factors, such as the location, the age of the air conditioning unit and the size of the home. If you need to vacuum or sweep more often than usual, you'll probably need to replace your air filter more often as well.
If you live alone, without pets and with good surrounding outdoor air quality, following the manufacturer's recommendations for changing the filter should work for you. If you have allergies, using a high-quality air filter and adopting a more frequent replacement program can help reduce your symptoms. When you buy a new air filter, check the manufacturer's recommendations to get a basic idea of how often you should change it. Smaller home furnaces and air conditioners need to pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, which can mean less frequent filter changes. If you live in a big city, contaminants such as smoke, dust, and other debris will seep into your interior and clog your air filter at a much faster rate. Wait up to three months to change a fiberglass air filter and nine to 12 months before changing a pleated air filter.
External factors such as excess pollen, nearby construction or a home renovation can also shorten the lifespan of an air filter. If the dirty air filter is completely covered with dust and dirt, it's a good idea to change it even if it hasn't reached the end of its recommended life. It is critical that homeowners understand how often they should replace their 14x30x1 air filters in order to keep their HVAC systems running efficiently and effectively. On average, fiberglass filters should be changed about once every 30 days while pleated filters can last for three to six months before needing replacement. However, this frequency may vary depending on factors such as location, age of equipment and size of home.
