Dirt and debris from the air filter can obstruct airflow, increasing the workload of the cooling system. By replacing the filter regularly, you can reduce wear and tear on your air conditioner while allowing free air circulation to improve indoor comfort. In general, most manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may vary depending on 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 have pets in your home, it is advisable to change 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 to 45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you should change the air filter.
No other factor affects the performance and efficiency of your air conditioning system as much as a dirty or clogged filter. A dirty filter can prevent airflow from the system. When the air filter is clogged with dust, dirt, and grime, the boiler and air conditioner have to work twice as hard to move air around your home. This will increase your energy bills, increase your carbon footprint, and drain your budget.
To save money on energy costs, repairs, or HVAC system replacement, stay on top of your HVAC maintenance. All Temperature Air recommends that you change your air filter regularly to keep your home and HVAC system running smoothly. It's best to change your air filter every month or two, especially if you have pets or live in an area with a high pollen content. Consult your unit documentation to determine the filter size you need and the range of the minimum efficiency report value (MERV) that the furnace should fall into.
According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), this filtration helps provide healthier indoor air quality. While these factors affect the frequency of air filter replacement, you should visually inspect the filter every month for excessive particulate buildup. A new HVAC unit is a costly investment and you want to ensure that your system lasts its entire life. Clogged and dirty filters require the HVAC system to work harder to push air through the system. It is recommended that homeowners change their air filters every one to three months, depending on the amount of dust and dirt in the air.
You can hear it: Your HVAC technician is giving you lessons on how to make sure you change your air filter. Regardless of the HVAC system you have, each unit needs a properly tuned quality filter to keep indoor air quality clean and your unit operating at peak efficiency. Make sure you don't buy a filter that has a rating higher than 10, as it can severely restrict the airflow of your system. The higher the rating, the more airborne contaminants you can expect the filter to remove from the air. In fact, at One Hour Heating and Cooling, we've discovered that a clogged or dirty filter is the leading cause of system failure.
If you answer yes to this question, you'll want to change your filter every 6 weeks to maintain optimal indoor air quality.
