How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?

Did you know that you can reduce your HVAC’s energy consumption by up to 15% just by replacing a dirty, clogged filter?

Aside from helping you lower your energy bills, replacing your air filter regularly can help you avoid future HVAC maintenance issues. It’s also a must if you have members in your household who have allergies and other respiratory issues.

Of course, the big question is, how often should you change your air filter? Here, we’ll go over the general recommendations, plus other factors that may affect your AC filter replacement schedule.

How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter? What the Experts Recommend

For less expensive fiberglass filters, the general rule is to replace them every month. If your HVAC system has a pleated filter though, you can replace it every three months.

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. It doesn’t mean that if you’re using a pleated filter, you need to wait the recommended 90 days before replacing it.

Don’t forget that the longer your filter is in place, the more dirt and dust it’s collecting, which could reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency. Rather than waiting a month or 3 before changing your air filter, check it once a week to see how quickly it gets dirty.

Tip: When you check your filter, see if any light passes through it. If there are none, then it’s definitely time to replace it.

When to Change AC Filters: It Might Be Sooner Than You Think

One of the reasons why the question of when to change air filter isn’t answerable by a definite time frame is because there are certain factors to consider. For example, in households where there are members who suffer from allergies or asthma, following the 90-day rule is inadvisable.

This is because indoor air quality is so essential to managing these conditions. Someone who’s asthmatic or allergic are much more sensitive to airborne particulates. If this is the case in your house, it’s best to change your filter every 6 weeks to maintain optimal indoor air quality.

Another factor that could affect how often to change an air filter is pets. For furry animals, shedding is an issue that can affect a filter’s lifespan. If you’re fur parent, you should change your air filter every 2 months.

Other Factors to Consider When Changing Air Filters

Here’s some good news, if you live in an area where the climate’s mild and you don’t need to run your AC or furnace often, your filter can last a whole season, sometimes, even a year.

But, if you live in a place where not turning on the AC is sure to be unbearable, then you’ll have to change your filter every few weeks. Speaking of the weather, you’ll also want to do some filter checking when seasons change. Always look at how your filter’s holding up when winter turns to spring and summer turns to fall.

Need More HVAC Tips and Advice?

Now that you know the answer to how often should you change your air filter, it’s always a good idea to have your system checked twice a year.

If you’re looking for an HVAC company in Franklin, TN, we can help. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have concerns about your AC or furnace. You may also browse our other posts for more HVAC tips and advice.