A pleated air filter should be replaced every 30-60 days, while a 2-fold air filter should be changed every 3 months. A 3-fold air filter should be changed every 120 days, and a 4-fold air filter should be changed every 6 months. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
If you have pets in the house, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months. For households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can usually wait to change filters every 9-12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you need to change the air filter.
A general 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. If you wait too long to change the filter, indoor air quality will suffer. The air cleaner and boiler filter replacement cycle is also affected by air outside and inside your home. However, if your HVAC system works almost constantly, change the filter every few weeks (especially if you use a cheaper fiberglass filter).
A professional will be able to help you if there is a particular protocol for changing the air filter of a specific brand or how often an air filter needs to be changed. For your comfort and well-being, and possibly to help you save money in the long run, regular filter inspections and replacement should be part of routine air conditioner maintenance. Select a good quality filter with 12 — 16 MERV to remove a high percentage of offensive particles. MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters are commonly used in operating rooms, cleanrooms and other settings that require absolute cleanliness. Air filters are usually made of spun fiberglass (the same as attic insulation) or & pleated paper framed with cardboard for added stability and rigidity. Any use will cause a certain amount of dirt to be trapped in the air filter - after all, that's its job.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), “indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality”.For optimal performance of your HVAC system and improved indoor air quality, it is important to keep track of when you installed your air filters and replace them regularly. Air filters need to be changed every 90 days on average, while an HVAC filter will only last one to three months on average. Cats and dogs lose and have odors that can accumulate in their space, so it is necessary to change the filter every 2 months. When you change the air filter, it allows more air to flow through the system with lower energy consumption, resulting in better circulation, cleaner air and a lower electricity bill.
