Learn How Often You Need to Change Your Air Filter

The main function of air filters is to clean indoor air that goes through your heating and cooling system. An air filter is usually made up of spun paper, cloth, or fiberglass that is enclosed in a cardboard frame. Some homeowners tend to forget changing the HVAC air filters for several months, which can lead to a buildup of debris, dust, and allergens.

Unfortunately, this buildup can bring maintenance problems in the long run. Besides, taking too long to replace your air filter can increase your energy bills because the clogged air filters may cause your heating and cooling equipment to work harder to circulate the indoor air. In this post, you will learn how often you need to change your air filter.

Air filters

It’s worth noting that different types of heating and cooling system’s filters tend to have varying specifications that can show you when you need to change them. You may need to replace fiberglass filters regularly, which can be every 30 days. On the other hand, pleated air filters have higher quality material and can last between three and six months. 

Ideally, if there are few people living in your home, then there can be few debris and contaminants that build up in the air filters. For instance, a household of four people can change the air filters more regularly than the one with a single person in the house. The lifespan of an air filter also depends on the size of your home because larger houses can circulate more air. On the other hand, a smaller house’s air filter doesn’t need changing regularly. 

Aside from these, the indoor air quality can also determine how regularly you need to replace your air filters. If you smoke, then you need to replace the air filter regularly so that you can improve the quality of indoor air.  

The lifespan of air filters

The manufacturer of an air filter can explain how often you have to replace your air filter. Some manufacturers recommend that you need to replace an air filter every thirty to sixty or even ninety days, though this depends on the type of air filter. But if you are unsure about replacing your air filter, it’s a good idea to contact the air filter manufacturer or a professional to determine its lifespan. The good thing is that a professional can help you when there is a specific way you have to change an air filter or how often you need to change air filters. 

That said, excess dust and debris can build up in the air filter and lead to their release if you fail to change them regularly. This can cause you or any other person to have itchy eyes, running nose, sneezing, and many more. Poor air circulation may also increase the risk of asthma attacks. Therefore, if there is a person in your home with asthma or severe allergies, it’s a good idea to change the air filter regularly, which can be at least every two weeks. But you can replace an air filter every thirty days for milder or moderate allergies.