How often should you change air filter in house

When it comes to heating or cooling your home efficiently, one of the most effective steps you can take is maintaining your HVAC system. Ensuring that your air filter is clean is one of the easiest ways to do this and doesn’t require any intricate knowledge of how your heater or air conditioner works.

Changing your air filter will not only improve your air quality at home, it will put money back in your wallet.

Changing your air filter on a regular basis is key to keeping your ventilation system functioning properly. If you neglect to change it regularly, you could be allowing dirt and dust to build up, requiring hundreds of dollars for professional maintenance and repair. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program recommends changing your filter at least once every three months and paying special attention to its dust contents during heavy-use months in the summer and winter.

Depending on the way you use your HVAC system, you may need to change your filter more or less often than Energy Star’s recommendation. Here are some guidelines to follow for different living situations:

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Have allergies?

If you have allergies, you should keep a close watch on your air filter. Change it every month or so to make sure that your HVAC isn’t working overtime, and your nose isn’t either!

Have a vacation home?

If you have a vacation home, guest house, or other property that isn’t occupied very frequently, you may not need to change your filter as often. Having fewer people and animals around keeps your air filters cleaner longer, but you should still replace them once a year.

Have a pet?

If you do, your air filter likely takes in a fair amount of pet hair, so you should replace it more often. Every two months may suffice for a one-pet household, but if you have several dogs or cats you may want to replace your air filter every month to keep your HVAC in top working order.

How big is your home?

If you have a large home, you probably have a lot of people in it. Children coming in from outside, pets running around, and people visiting all track in dirt and dust that ends up in your air filter. If you have a big home or big family, you may need to check your filter more often. Looking once a month to see if your air filter is dirty is a great precaution.

Changing your air filter will not only improve your air quality at home, it will put money back in your wallet. The Department of Energy says that replacing your filter can reduce the energy consumed by your HVAC by 5-15 percent. That means that your system doesn’t have to work as hard, and your electric bill will be smaller every month.

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It may be challenging to know the right time to replace the air filters in an AC unit. Here’s a helpful guide for gauging how often to replace them.

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Q: How often should I replace the air filters in my home, and what factors would require me to replace them in between regular changes?

A: The essential function of an air filter is to clean air that passes through a home’s heating and cooling system. Air filters are made out of spun fiberglass, paper, or cloth enclosed in a cardboard frame and are usually located within the air vents of a home. Homeowners may forget to change the HVAC filters for months at a time, which can cause a buildup of dust, debris, and allergens. This buildup can cause maintenance problems over time.

Additionally, neglecting to replace the air filter accordingly can cause a homeowner’s energy bill to increase as the clogged filters cause the system to work harder when circulating the air. A typical manufacturer recommends replacing the air filters every 30 to 90 days; however, this depends on the filter’s lifespan and other environmental factors within the home.

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An air filter’s longevity will depend on the type of filter, indoor air quality, the home’s size, and air pollution.

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Different types of furnace or AC filters have varying specifications on when they should be replaced. Fiberglass filters have a lower price point; however, they will need to be replaced more often (usually every 30 days). Pleated air filters are more expensive than fiberglass filters with higher quality materials. These filters can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on other factors.

The fewer occupants there are in a house, the fewer contaminants and debris build up there will be in its air filters. For example, a family of four will have to change their air filters more often than a single individual’s home. An air filter’s lifespan also depends on the size of the house as larger homes circulate more air through the air filters. Air filters in smaller homes don’t need to be changed as often as larger homes.

The air quality within the home will also determine how often to replace air filters. If an occupant smokes, replacing the air filter can increase the quality of air within the home. Additionally, the quality of the air outdoors determines when to replace the filters. As outdoor dust or pollution increases, there’s a greater need to replace the air filters indoors.

Check the air filter packaging for the expected lifespan of the filter.

An air filter manufacturer will usually explain how often to replace the air filter on its installation instructions. Some manufacturers recommend replacing air filters every 30 to 60 or 90 days, depending on the type of air filter. If there’s ever a question, call a professional or the air filter manufacturer to determine its lifespan. A professional will be able to assist if there’s a particular protocol for changing a specific brand’s air filter or how often to change an air filter.

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If anyone in the house suffers from asthma or allergies or has pets that shed, the air filter will need to be changed more frequently.

Air filters assist in clearing the air in a heating and air conditioning system by removing unwanted debris. Excess contaminants can build up in the filter and cause a release of dust and dander if not changed regularly. This may cause certain household members to react with a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and other allergic reactions. Poor air circulation can also cause an increased risk of asthma attacks. If someone in the household suffers from severe allergies, it’s recommended to change the air filters very frequently; in some cases, every two weeks. For milder to moderate allergies, try to replace the air filters every 30 days.

Having a pet can also decrease the time between air filter changes. Pet hair and dirt tracked in from outside can further clog the filters and block airflow. This accumulation of debris can change how often to replace the air filters. Change the filters every 60 days for one pet and every 20 to 45 days for multiple pets.

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Change the air filter during allergy seasons.

During allergy season, air filters can work overtime to clear out the allergens, dust, and other debris circulating through the heating and cooling system. At this time, it’s recommended to replace the air filters with quality replacements that can filter out common allergens, including pollen. This is especially true if homeowners begin to notice particles floating in the air that subsequently cause allergic reactions. Replacing the filters regularly can keep homeowners and their families healthy through efficient air circulation.

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Consider changing the filters after a construction project if it created excess dust and debris.

Home renovations can cause a buildup of excess dust and debris that clog air filters. After a renovation, such as a project involving drywall, there may be pieces of drywall, dirt, and dust collected in the air ducts, thus restricting airflow through the air filters. A good rule of thumb is if there’s a need to vacuum more often from debris on the floor, it’s safe to say that this debris is also going into the air filters. Consider replacing the air filters after a heavy home renovation to keep the air clear and lower the chances of costly maintenance repairs later on.

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Reduced airflow, excess dust, or increased energy bills are all signs that filters need to be changed.

Numerous contaminants and debris, including excess dust, can cause the air filters to clog and reduce the air circulation throughout the home. As the system works to counteract the effects of this excess dust and debris, it can work overtime, producing an increased energy bill.

These are all signs that it’s time to change the air filters in the home. However, they can also indicate that something is malfunctioning in your HVAC system. If you’ve changed your air filters and are still noticing these problems, it’s wise to call in a professional to help address the root issue.

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