A pleated air filter should be replaced every 30 to 60 days, while a 2-fold air filter should be changed every 3 months and a 3-fold air filter should be changed every 120 days. A 4-fold air filter should be replaced every 6 months. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the 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, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and in homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend that you change the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or empty houses that aren't used much can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you'll need to change your air filter. The only way to be sure how often the air filter needs to be changed is to perform a visual inspection of the filter every month.
After a few months, you'll have an idea of how quickly it gets dirty. You'll need to re-evaluate if you're having a new pet or if the outside air quality has been poor. The general recommendation on how often air filters should be changed can range from every 30 days to every year. Two of the factors that determine the lifespan of a filter are the type and quality of the filter being used.
Air filters should be changed every 90 days on average, while an air conditioning filter will only last one to three months on average. It's important to keep track of the date you installed them. If you wait too long to change the filter, indoor air quality will be affected. Using a washable air filter is also beneficial because you can change it however you want and save money on air filters.
In addition, not replacing the air filter accordingly can cause the owner's energy bill to rise, as clogged filters cause the system to work harder by circulating air. The lifespan of an air cleaner also depends on the size of the house, since larger houses circulate more air through the air filters. The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA, or high-energy particulate air filters. Outdoor air quality can have a big impact on how often the air filter gets dirty and needs to be replaced.
After a period of smoke-filled days with poor outside air quality, inspect the air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. The lifespan of an air cleaner is also affected by the occupants of the home and the characteristics of the home itself. Changing the air filter will help keep the air conditioner parts clean and prevent them from wearing out and wearing out. If you live in a big city, pollutants such as smoke, dust and other debris will seep inside and clog your air filter at a much faster rate than in other locations.
Fiberglass air filters are more affordable but less efficient at capturing dust and particles in the air than other types of filters. A collapsed air filter can get stuck in the fan or create a large gap, causing air to float around the filter without leaking out. Changing your filter more frequently ensures that it has enough surface area available to capture contaminants that cause symptoms among loved ones. The general consensus is that most pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) should be replaced every 90 days on average.
However, this may vary depending on factors such as location, pets in your home, age of your system and equipment, outdoor air quality, size of your house, type and quality of your filter, etc. To make sure you don't forget this important task, learn how often you should change your air filter in advance.
