When is the Right Time to Replace Your HVAC System Air Filter?

In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This can vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets at home, it's best to change the filter every 60 days or 2 months. For homes with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we suggest changing the filter every 20 to 45 days.

Vacation homes or empty houses that don't get much use usually wait to change the filters every 9 to 12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you'll need to change the air filter. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters designed to filter small particles of bacteria, mold, and fungi, but standard MERV 8-11 filters only block the largest dust particles and 26% of hair. In addition to cleaning your filters regularly, it's important to be aware of the most common signs that an air conditioner filter needs to be replaced.

Here are five of the most common:

• The air conditioner is not cooling as efficiently as it used to.
• The air conditioner is making strange noises.
• The air conditioner is not blowing as much air as it used to.
• The air conditioner is running for longer periods of time.
• The air conditioner is not filtering out dust and other particles as well as it used to.

Your air conditioner filter is usually inserted in a specific place inside the return air duct (usually, a large fold-out ventilation hole in the hallway or other place in the house). It's a cardboard frame with some fibers in the center and usually has a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) that determines the type and size of the contaminants the filter will work against. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered suitable filters for air conditioning systems for residential, commercial, and general hospital use. When you need an air conditioner maintenance service, don't try to solve it with YouTube videos alone.

It's not used to purify the air you breathe, but to protect the sensitive components of your air conditioning system. The bottom line is, if you feel like the air conditioner is hot, check to see if the filter is dirty; replacing it should correct the problem. If changing your air conditioner filter doesn't resolve any of these signs mentioned above, contact us immediately so that we can help you with a professional HVAC contractor. But what happens if you let that time go by for a while? Before we talk about WHEN you should change your air filter, let's start with the WHY.

If the filter is covered in dust, appears to be clogged, or is broken or otherwise damaged, replace it as soon as possible. Over time, a clogged filter can contribute to greater wear and tear on the unit, resulting in greater maintenance and repair needs. You can hear it: your HVAC technician is giving you lessons on how to change the air filter. It's essential to understand why replacing your HVAC system's air filter regularly is so important. A clogged filter can cause your system to work harder than necessary and lead to higher energy bills.

It can also reduce airflow and cause damage to other components of your system over time. Additionally, a dirty filter can lead to poor indoor air quality due to dust particles being circulated throughout your home. In general, most experts recommend changing your HVAC system's air filter every 90 days or 3 months. However, this timeline may vary depending on factors such as location of your home (e.g., dry and dusty climates), if you have pets, and age of your system and equipment.

If you have pets at home, consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months; for homes with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we suggest changing it every 20-45 days. Vacation homes or empty houses that don't get much use usually wait until 9-12 months before replacing their filters. It's important to remember that there are high-efficiency filters designed to filter small particles of bacteria, mold, and fungi; however standard MERV 8-11 filters only block larger dust particles and 26% of hair. To ensure optimal performance from your HVAC system and maintain good indoor air quality in your home, make sure you're aware of common signs that an air conditioner filter needs replacing:

• The air conditioner is not cooling as efficiently as it used to.
• The air conditioner is making strange noises.
• The air conditioner is not blowing as much air as it used to.
• The air conditioner is running for longer periods of time.
• The air conditioner is not filtering out dust and other particles as well as it used to.

If any of these signs appear in your home, check if your filter needs replacing; this should correct any issues with cooling efficiency or indoor air quality.

Replacing your HVAC system's air filter regularly helps maintain optimal performance from your system while also improving indoor air quality in your home. To ensure this happens without any issues arising from a clogged or dirty filter, make sure you're aware of common signs that an air conditioner filter needs replacing - this should help keep energy bills low while also protecting other components from damage.