When it comes to maintaining a healthy home, one of the most important things to consider is when to replace your air filter. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. However, this may vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. A good rule of thumb for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to replace the filter every 90 days.
As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, its efficiency decreases. Read on to find out if you should replace the filter more often. An HVAC filter will typically last one to three months on average. It's important to keep track of the date you installed them so that you don't wait too long to change the filter and suffer from poor indoor air quality.
If you can't find the MERV rating on the air cleaner package, look for a filter with a lot of pleats per foot. After a renovation project involving drywall, pieces of drywall, dirt, and dust may build up in the air ducts, restricting airflow through the air filters and putting unwanted pressure on your HVAC system. Households with pets should generally replace filters after two months; those with more than one pet may need to replace the filter once a month. The fewer occupants there are in a house, the less pollutants and debris will accumulate in its air filters.
When you begin to notice an increase in air particles or contaminants, it's time to change the filter. Using a washable air filter is also beneficial because you can change it however you want and save money on air filters. Investing in a relatively inexpensive air filter and replacing it at the right time can save you a lot of money on repairs. If you have a pet that is hypoallergenic or does not shed hair, you may not have to replace the air filter as much. While a filter with a higher MERV rating should last longer, it can also restrict airflow in your home.
It's important to visually inspect the filter every month for excessive particulate buildup. The fabric of the air filters included in this class makes it much more difficult for the HVAC system to operate smoothly.
