How Long Should Hvac Filter Stay White

How Often Do I Really Demand to Change My Air Filter?

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By FilterBuy

Replacing the filter in your air conditioning and/or heating system regularly keeps your appliances working properly and your energy bills depression. It's as well a task that many homeowners forget about for months at a time, which can ship your energy beak skyward and potentially contribute to other maintenance issues down the line. Read on to discover out the best rate at which to alter 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 college-end pleated filters. These estimates assume boilerplate use and accept 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. Notice out beneath if you should be replacing your filter more often.

a fresh air filter blocks unwanted particles while allowing clean air to flow through

Does someone in your dwelling house accept asthma and/or allergies?

Those with asthma and/or allergies are much more sensitive to airborne particles than those without. If you take an asthma- or allergy-sufferer at home, change your filter every 6 weeks to ensure indoor air quality is at its all-time.

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 six weeks to ensure indoor air quality is at its all-time.

a fresh air filter blocks unwanted particles while allowing clean air to flow through

Practice yous accept pets?

Cats and dogs shed and have odors that tin can build up in your space, making it necessary to change your filter every ii months. Generally, cats and dogs shed most when winter turns to jump and summertime turns to fall, which are key times to supercede your filter.

ac units require consistent maintenance to ensure longevity and cooling power

Do you have young children?

Superior indoor air quality is peculiarly important with kids around. Continue your dwelling house clean and air quality nether control by replacing your vacuum filter every two-3 months.

Factors that can bear upon your HVAC air filter'south lifespan include:

Image of an HVAC mechanic standing next to an AC unit

The charge per unit at which you utilise 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 twenty-four hours, a single filter can last yous from a whole flavor to an entire year. If your HVAC system is running on a near-abiding basis, however, change your filter every few weeks (especially if yous're using a cheaper fiberglass filter).

The rate at which you use your heating and/or cooling system

If you alive in a temperate climate and use your heater and/or air conditioner upwardly to a few hours every solar day, a unmarried filter tin can last you lot from a whole season to an unabridged year. If your HVAC system is running on a near-constant footing, however, change your filter every few weeks (particularly if you're using a cheaper fiberglass filter).

Image of an HVAC mechanic standing next to an AC unit

The size of your home

Furnaces and air conditioners in smaller homes need to pump less air for the same amount of temperature modify, which may mean less frequent filter changes. These appliances are often congenital with smaller filters, though, and thus may need to be changed merely as regularly equally a filter in a larger home.

graphic of a house

air filters impact air quality and airflow in your home

The air quality within your habitation

The air inside or outside your home volition also affect your filter'south replacement cycle. Pets or poor air quality, for example, will require you lot to replace your air filter more than frequently.

The air quality within your abode

The air inside or outside your home will also impact your filter'southward replacement cycle. Pets or poor air quality, for case, will require y'all to supplant your air filter more frequently.

air filters impact air quality and airflow in your home

How to Tell When Your HVAC Air Filter Needs Changing

Any utilize volition lead to some amount of dirt being trapped in your air filter - that'south its chore, after all.
And so how practice you lot know when your filter has trapped too much dirt and needs to be replaced?

Repair Man Image

There'southward no strict guideline, but if your filter shows only a subtle layer of dirt under which the filter's fabric is notwithstanding visible, your filter is in fine working social club. Once information technology gets much beyond that point, it's ready to be changed out. If there's a visible blanket of clay covering nigh of your filter'due south surface that is adequately thick to obscure the filter material itself, that'due south 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 in that location a musty scent? Is the filter covered in dust? If in uncertainty, information technology's ever best to err on the side of replacing your filter. They're relatively inexpensive, and that small cost to continue your heating and cooling vents articulate will be well worthwhile when your energy bill comes due. If information technology's been a while since yous've changed your filters, nosotros tin can help you discover the right size, make, and blazon of HVAC air filter for your furnace and/or air conditioner.

Ready to replace your filter? Click hither and get your system back to make clean efficiency!

How Often Do I REALLY Need to Change My Air Filter?

FAQ

How do I know if my air filter needs changing?

There are often obvious signs that your air filter needs changing. They include:

Dust and debris accumulating on your intake vents
Grit and debris accumulating nigh your output vents, often on the ceiling and walls nearby
Dust accumulating on fan blades, drape rods, on top of cabinets, indicating that there is an excess of dust in apportionment
Noticeable loss of cooling power in your AC system
Sounds of excessive strain when your Ac system starts up
Longer periods of run fourth dimension for your Air-conditioning system to absurd to desired temperature
Indicator on your AC controls telling you to change your air filter

When in doubt, purchase a replacement air filter and modify it out.

How long can you go without irresolute the air filter?

The longest you should go without changing your air filter is the recommended 90 days. Withal, if replacing your air filter is but out of the question for an extended period of time, going beyond 90 days is not going to cause irreparable harm to your AC organisation. However, you volition put unwanted strain on your HVAC system, resulting in poor air quality and air circulation.

What are the symptoms of a dirty air filter?

Symptoms of a muddy air filter tin can include:

Dust and debris accumulating on your intake vents
Dust and debris accumulating nearly your output vents, oft on the ceiling and walls nearby
Grit accumulating on fan blades, pall rods, and on top of cabinets, indicating that there is an excess of dust in apportionment
Noticeable loss of cooling power in your Air-conditioning system
Sounds of excessive strain when your AC arrangement starts up
Longer periods of run fourth dimension for your AC system to absurd to desired temperature

Does changing the air filter brand a difference?

Aye, changing your filter has several impacts on your HVAC system's ability to absurd your house and the overall quality of your air. When you alter your air filter, you permit more air to flow through your system with less power usage resulting in meliorate apportionment, cleaner air, and a lower electricity bill.