Maintaining a comfortable indoor environment is a top priority for many homeowners, and a properly functioning air conditioning (AC) system plays a crucial role in achieving that.
While regular maintenance is essential for the longevity and efficiency of your AC unit, one often overlooked aspect is the replacement of the air filter.
The AC filter is responsible for trapping dust, debris, allergens, and other pollutants, ensuring that the air circulating in your home remains clean and healthy. But how frequently should you change your AC filter?
The answer would be every 90 days. Furthermore, it is generally recommended to change your air filter every three months by most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies.
You may have to adjust your filter changing frequency based on the climate in your area (e.g., dusty, dry climates), the age of your equipment, and if you have any pets.
In this guide, we will explore the factors that determine the replacement interval for your AC filter and provide practical recommendations to help you keep your system running optimally while maintaining excellent indoor air quality.
How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter?
The type of AC filter used in your home can affect how often you should replace it.
- When using the standard 1 to 3-inch air filters, it is recommended that you change them every 30 to 60 days if you are allergy-free.
- You should change or replace filters every three weeks if you suffer from light to moderate allergies.
How Often Do You Really Need to Change Your HVAC Filter?
The majority of homeowners don’t pay much attention to their HVAC system until it starts malfunctioning or things start falling apart. Clogged air filters usually cause these breakdowns, and we’ll let you in on a secret.
A simple task like changing an air filter can be overlooked and forgotten about for long periods of time. Changing your air filters regularly is vital so your HVAC system can run smoothly, among other benefits.
Several factors must be considered to determine the interval between air filter replacements. The following factors should be taken into account when choosing a schedule for replacing air filters:
- Conditions associated with the respiratory system
- Allergy sensitivities
- Size of the household and number of occupants with pets hold
- The type of air filter you utilize
These factors all contribute to how often you should replace your filters. A rule of thumb would be to replace your filter every 60 days if your home has one pet.
Our recommendation is every 20 to 45 days for homes with multiple pets, those with respiratory conditions, and those with allergies.
Consider the case of a second home that you visit regularly. It is, therefore, necessary to replace your air filters at least every two months if you have such a vehicle.
Whenever you need AC repair or AC service, ask a professional first and answering these questions will guide your decision.
What Is The Level Of Air Pollution Outdoors Around Your House?
Having air conditioning in a vacation home that is not regularly used means less pollution around your house since there are fewer vehicles to pollute it.
What kind of construction projects are going on around your house? The dust outside grows more frequently, so change the air filter every 30 to 60 days as a precaution. If you live near a heavily travelled highway, you should follow the same rule of thumb.
How Many People Live In Your Home?
It might be okay to wait 6 to 12 months to change filters if you live alone, don’t have pets, and do not suffer from allergies.
In the case of homes filled with a spouse and several children, you may need to change your air filter more frequently, say every 20 to 45 days.
What Type And Number Of Pets Do You Have?
There are some dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, which are hypoallergenic and do not shed dander. Animals in the home usually require regular air filter cleaning, depending on their type and number.
You should change your HVAC air filters every 60 days if you have a pet. You should change the air filters every 20 to 45 days when you have multiple pets.
How Would You Rate Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality?
There are four levels: excellent, good, fair, and poor (someone smokes in the house). Are you noticing any odd smells emanating from your air conditioning system?
These are potential signs that your AC needs to be serviced, so call a technician if you have experienced these issues.
What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Air Filter?
When you don’t clean your air filter, it can quickly become clogged with dust and debris, which prevents proper air filtration.
Your HVAC system will suffer from inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and eventually, failure when this occurs.
Changing your air filters frequently is one of the most crucial maintenance steps, so don’t skimp on this. You can find more information about the effects of not changing your air filter below:
Potential System Breakdowns
You may be surprised to find out that a dirty air filter can cause a complete system breakdown. In the presence of a clogged filter, your air conditioner’s motor faces excessive stress, potentially resulting in the system failing.
Ultimately, investing in a couple of air filters regularly is more cost-effective than replacing the entire system altogether.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Several contaminants can live in your air filter, as we discussed previously. The particles and debris in your air filter will no longer be able to trap additional pollutants over time when they build up over time.
Living in environments with poor indoor air quality can be devastating for people with allergies and dust sensitivities.
Expensive Energy Bills
Generally, a clogged filter will make your HVAC system increase the amount of energy it consumes on a monthly basis. If you change your filters on your next statement, you will save yourself from any unpleasant surprises.
Depleted System Efficiency
Having a clogged air filter affects the efficiency of your HVAC system, which works hard to keep your home cool and warm.
When your air conditioner has to push air through a congested barrier, it must work harder to keep pushing that air through the blocked filter.
You shouldn’t overburden your heating and cooling system. A brand-new filter will give your system the best chance of success.
Finding The “Right” Air Conditioner Replacement Filter
You can choose from an almost infinite number of filter sizes. In the market, there are a variety of AC filters in different sizes and types. Find the “right” air filter for your AC system by calling the manufacturer or your favorite expert technician.
If you need help understanding what size of air filter you need, contact your AC manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you could remove the one you currently use and examine the bottle’s dimensions (width, depth, and height) on the frame.
How To Change An AC Filter In Your Home?
Many people don’t think about their AC system until they have a problem with it. The clogged filters in your AC can be easily replaced by taking these three steps. This can improve the air conditioning system’s efficiency by 5 to 15%.
- The first step is to locate and remove it.
- Homeowners face this real problem even though it may sound silly. AC failure is widespread for those who only pay attention to their systems when they stop working.
- Select the right size and type of filter for your needs.
- Air filters typically used in older systems are made of fiberglass. You should replace them around every 30 days.
- Pleated filters are typically rectangular in shape with a depth of about one inch in newer systems.
- If you don’t have allergies, you should replace them about every 90 days. AC pros recommend keeping them replaced every 45 days for maximum efficiency.
- Make sure to replace them with the right size and type of air filter. You could remove the filter if your AC worked properly and buy an identical one.
- The “media filter” must only be replaced every six to eight months. In appearance, they resemble pleated filters, but they last much longer.
- Once you have purchased the right size and type filter, install it.
- Install the new air filter before you drive. There is a fantastic number of homeowners who fail to install replacement filters.
Final Words
The right filter is vital in keeping your AC system running efficiently. It’s essential to have them changed (or cleaned) regularly.
By understanding the importance of filter maintenance and knowing when and how to change it, you can enhance the performance of your AC unit and promote a healthier living environment for you and your loved ones.
Clean any clogged filter immediately after replacing it. If you suffer from allergies or own a pet, replace your filters more often than the “rules of thumb” mentioned earlier.
