You should replace your home air conditioning filter regularly, approximately every 30 days. Newer systems typically use pleated filters, also rectangular ones with a depth of about one inch. It is recommended to replace them every 90 days if you don't have allergies, but AC professionals generally suggest it every 45 days for maximum efficiency. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months.
However, this may change depending on the location of your home (e.g. e.g. dry and dusty climates), 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, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it is recommended to change the filter every 20-45 days.
Usually, vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. The only way to ensure how often you need to change your air filter is to perform a visual inspection of the filter every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty. You will need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. 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, the efficiency of the filter decreases. Find out below if you should replace the filter more often. How often you need to change your air filters depends on how often you use your home. For a little-used vacation home, you could get away with changing filters once a year. However, for a typical suburban home, you'll probably want to change filters at least every 90 days.
But that time frame changes depending on the additional circumstances listed below. If there is a visible layer of dirt that covers most of the filter surface and that is thick enough to hide the filter material itself, it is a sign that the filter has been in the HVAC system for too long. It is advisable to heed the filter manufacturer's recommendations regarding replacement and make adjustments based on its use and how many occupants are in the house. To ensure that only clean air comes out of the HVAC system, replace the air filter before it becomes clogged so that you can breathe better. If you have an asthmatic or allergic person at home, change the filter every 6 weeks to ensure the best indoor air quality.
For a full-time residence with more than one occupant, it is not recommended to go longer than 90 days without replacing the air conditioner filter. Outdoor air quality can have a big impact on how often the air filter becomes dirty and needs to be replaced. There are a few things to consider when determining a more accurate air conditioning filter replacement program. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters that are designed to filter out small particles of bacteria, mold and mildew, but your standard MERV 8-11 filters will simply block out larger particles of dust, dirt & hair. The HVAC air filter helps keep indoor air clean by trapping mold particles, pollen, and other contaminants moving through the system. Consider all these factors when determining a replacement program and decide what type and quality of filter you should use.
Children are more sensitive than adults to indoor air pollutants such as mold, dust mite debris, dander and pollen, so make your home an oasis by using quality air filters and replacing them before they become too clogged and dirty. During these months, pollutants in your home may increase, but the air filter doesn't trap them. Many homeowners in the Longwood area have heard that they need to replace their AC filter in their HVAC system on a monthly basis. Vacant vacation homes, depending on how often you use the system, may change their air filter every 6-12 months.
During times when you use your system frequently, you can even benefit from replacing filters every few weeks instead of every month.
