The only way to be sure how often your air filter should be changed is to visually inspect it every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty and need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. As an expert in HVAC systems, I recommend that you change your air filter every three months; however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to replace an old filter. In general, you should check your air filter once a month to see how dirty it is.
That's really the only way to know if you really need to change the filter. And if you or a family member has a history of allergies or asthma, plan to change your filter once a month, following recommendations from medical associations, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Different types of ovens or air conditioning filters have different specifications for when they should be replaced. Fiberglass filters are lower in price; however, they will need to be replaced more frequently (usually every 30 days).
Pleated air filters are more expensive than fiberglass filters with higher quality materials. These filters can last 3 to 6 months, depending on several factors. If you ever have any questions, the resident can call a professional or the air filter manufacturer to determine the lifespan of the specific filter your system uses. For example, a family of four will need to change their air filters more often than a single-person home. If the owner has changed the air filter and is still noticing problems, it is advisable to call a professional to help fix the problem at the root. During mild seasons, when you're not using the air conditioning system, you're likely to keep your doors and windows open and spend more time outside.
This is especially true if homeowners begin to notice particles that float in the air and subsequently cause allergic reactions. During allergy season, air filters can work overtime to remove allergens, dust, and other debris circulating through the heating and cooling system. The MERV rating is a scale that ranges from 1 to 20 and evaluates how well an air filter can remove particulates from the air. Compared to other DIY home improvement projects, changing air filters is a quick and painless process that can be done in less than an hour. If you have young children at home, it's a good idea to use high-quality pleated air filters and change them as often as two months. Regardless of whether you're a filter change professional or not, it's a good idea to have your system checked twice a year by an HVAC contractor, once before the cooling season and once at the end.
After a period of smoke-filled days and poor outdoor air quality, inspect the air filter to see if it needs to be changed. If you live in a big city, pollutants such as smoke, dust, and other debris will seep inside and clog the air filter at a much faster rate. For starters, a dirty air filter can't capture airborne particles, such as pollen or dust mite allergens, which means that more particles are recirculated so that you can inhale them. Your home's air filters should be changed regularly to keep the system running smoothly and maintain optimal air quality. As outdoor dust or pollution increases, the need for replacing indoor air filters on a more regular basis increases.
