A pleated air filter should be replaced every 30 to 60 days, while a 2-fold air filter should be changed every 3 months. A 3-fold air filter should be changed every 120 days, and a 4-fold air filter should be replaced every 6 months. The ideal is to change your air filter every three months, however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to replace an old filter. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months.
This may change depending on the location of your home (e.g., dusty and dry weather), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets at home, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and in the case of households with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend that you change the filter every 20 to 45 days. Usually, vacation homes or empty houses that aren't used much can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you'll need to change your air filter.
A general rule for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to change them every 90 days. As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, the filter's efficiency decreases. Find out below if you should replace the filter more often. Air filters should be changed every 90 days on average.
An HVAC filter will only last one to three months on average. Which means you should keep track of the date you installed them. If you wait too long to change the filter, indoor air quality will be affected. If you've changed your air filters and you're still experiencing these problems, it's a good idea to call a professional to help you address the root problem.
Changing the filter more frequently ensures that the filter has the available surface needed to filter out contaminants that cause symptoms among loved ones. If you have someone with asthma or allergies at home, change the filter every 6 weeks to make sure the indoor air quality is the best. Your once-new air filter, white and clean, will turn dusty and gray as you start to spend months returning it. Investing in a relatively inexpensive air filter and replacing the filter at the right time can save you a lot of money on repairs.
Yes, changing the filter has several impacts on the HVAC system's ability to cool the house and on overall air quality. However, if replacing the air filter is simply out of the question for an extended period, going longer than 90 days won't cause irreparable damage to your air conditioning system. As air moves through a building's air conditioning system, air filters trap and accumulate large and small particles, such as dust, allergens, and microorganisms. More occupants and larger homes mean more dust is created and collected, which will eventually reach the air filter.
How often you change your home's HVAC air filter depends on how long the filter is expected to last and the different qualities in your home that affect the filter. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) rating for an air filter measures how effectively the filter prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and reaching the air stream. 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. However, it will put unwanted pressure on your air conditioning system, leading to poor air quality and poor air circulation.
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