Should I change my filter more often?
This is a question that’s asked very often, when do I change my filter? A lot of companies are going to market filters and they are going to tell you “up to 90 days” on the filter when you buy today.
What does that really mean? Yes, it absolutely could go up to 90 days but, do you necessarily want it to? The key word is that statement is “up to.” So the company your purchasing from isn’t saying that the filter is going to last 90 days, they are saying it has a possibility of surviving up to 90 days. This means that if you’re changing you’re filter every 90 days that doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing good maintenance on your unit or system.
The rule of T.H.U.M.B. is thirty days for changing your filter.
A general rule of thumb for pleated air filters is to replace your filter every 90 days. As your filter traps more dirt, dust, and allergens from the air, filter efficiency decreases. Find out below if you should be replacing your filter more often.
A quick and easy way to check if your filter needs to be changed is by simply pulling your filter out of your unit and shining your flashlight through it, if the filter is murky and you can’t see the beam of light clearly through the other side it is time for a change.
Do you Have allergies?
Those with asthma and/or allergies are much more sensitive to airborne particles than those without. If you have an asthma- or allergy-sufferer at home, change your filter every 2 – 3 weeks to ensure indoor air quality is at its best.
Do you have pets?
If you have pets this time frame increases. You might want to check your filters bi-weekly until you know how much your pet’s hair is affecting your filters. Cats and dogs shed and have odors that can build up in your space, making it necessary to change your filter every month. Generally, cats and dogs shed most when winter turns to spring and summer turns to fall, which are key times to replace your filter even more often. If hair builds up on your evaporator coil, it can be hard on your unit and shorten the life span.
So when?
So, how frequently should you change your air filter? The answers is: it depends.
Typical recommendations range from every 30 days for cheaper fiberglass filters (which often don’t do a great job of filtering), to as long as 3 months for higher-end pleated filters. These estimates assume average use and take into account the type and size of your filter. If you have pets or allergens this number can reduce drastically. Hope this helps!
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