Air filters are essential for keeping your home's air clean and healthy. They trap pet hair, dust, and other irritating particles so that the air conditioning system returns fresh, clean air to your home. But how often should you change your air filter?The general rule of thumb for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to replace the filter every 90 days. However, this may change 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 for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20-45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. That may change depending on certain factors such as the location of your home (e.g. dry and dusty climates), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may want to replace the filter more often than recommended. No matter what HVAC system you have, each unit needs a properly tuned quality filter to keep indoor air quality clean and your unit running at peak efficiency. As you can imagine, the answer to how often air filters need to be changed doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. Outdoor air quality can also have a big impact on how often the air filter becomes dirty and needs to be replaced. If you have a cheap disposable filter, you may need to replace it once a month. More expensive OEM filters can last anywhere from 6 months to a year.
If you have a pleated air filter (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy), it is recommended that you replace it every 90 days. If you have pets in the house, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20-45 days. When you change the air filter, it allows more air to flow through the system with lower energy consumption, resulting in better circulation, cleaner air and a lower electricity bill. You'll find it easier to remember to do this important task if you learn how often to change your air filter in the first place. The manufacturer recommends how often the filter should be replaced, depending on the filter you have installed. If the filter shows only a subtle layer of dirt under which the filter material is still visible, then it is in good working order.
However, if it is clogged with dirt and debris then it needs to be replaced immediately. Changing your air filters regularly is an essential practice that ensures that clean air circulates throughout your home. Children are more sensitive than adults to indoor air pollutants such as mold, dust mite debris, dander and pollen, so make your home an oasis by using quality air filters and replacing them before they become too clogged and dirty.