How Often To Replace Air Filter In House

Without a clean air filter, your HVAC unit works harder and is prone to more than breakdowns. Compared to other DIY abode improvement projects, changing air filters is a quick and painless process that can be done in less than an hour. Withal, many homeowners are unaware of how often air filters need to be replaced, leaving their organisation vulnerable to harm. Keep reading to learn when and how to change your air filter.

Why Changing Your Filter Is Important

Air filters trap pet hair, dust, and other irritating particles so that your air conditioning system delivers fresh, make clean air dorsum into your home. Eventually, the filter traps so much dust and debris that air tin can't properly filter or travel to the HVAC unit, leading to:

High free energy bills—When an HVAC filter is clogged, your organization has to work harder to pull air through to cool or heat the room. This causes it to run for longer periods of time, increasing the energy your habitation uses.
Health concerns—If a filter isn't working properly, dust and allergens tin broadcast throughout your dwelling house and cause allergies and respiratory illnesses.
System failure—An HVAC system has to work hard to pull air through a clogged filter. This continuous strain on the unit can cause information technology to break, causing you to pay for expensive repairs or replacements.

How to Change Your Air Filter

You should ideally change your air filter every three months, however, at that place are certain factors to consider when determining when to change out an old filter.

Type of air filter—Some air filters are more effective than others. Lower quality fiberglass filters are more than affordable, but they don't last long and demand to be changed every month. Pleated air filters are high-quality filters that are very effective in trapping particles and concluding up to ninety days.
Pets—If you own pets, modify your filters every two months to go on your air make clean.
Allergies—If you suffer from allergies, even the smallest amount of grit or droppings in the air can trigger a reaction. To ensure your system is pumping only make clean air, change your filters nigh every 50 days.
Children—If you take young children in the abode, go along the indoor air quality loftier past replacing your air filters every ii months.
Dwelling house use—Homes that use their HVAC system daily need more frequent air filter replacements than a vacation dwelling that doesn't filter air regularly. If your home'south heating and cooling system only run a few times a year, replace the air filters every six to 12 months.

While these factors touch the frequency of air filter replacement, you lot should visually inspect your filter every month to check for excess particle buildup. If the muddy air filter is completely layered with dust and debris, information technology's a good thought to change the filter even if it hasn't reached the cease of its recommended lifespan.

How to Alter Your Filter

Here's how to alter your air filter when it's time for a replacement.

Purchase the right size filter—To find the size of your filter, check the old filter, which should have the size printed on 1 of its sides. If you tin't locate the size of the old filter, use a measuring tape to check its length, width, and depth.
Turn off your unit—Flip the switch on your thermostat to turn off the unit of measurement, or turn your system completely off at the circuit breaker.
Locate the filter—Your air filter is located in 1 of two places: a return duct or the air handler located in an cranium, basement, or utility closet.
Remove the grille or cover to the air filter—If your air filter is located in the organization'due south air handler, open the admission panel. This may require a screwdriver to remove the small screws securing it. If your filter is in the return duct, flip the latches that agree the grille and remove information technology.
Remove the old filter and insert the new ane—Take the old filter from its place, carefully inspecting how it was situated inside the cover or grille. Take the new filter and place it inside, making sure the airflow arrows are pointed into the unit.
Supplant the cover and turn your arrangement on—Afterwards replacing the filter, turn your organization back on to ensure the filter is situated correctly and the air conditioner is running smoothly.