Air filters are essential for healthy air. Whether it’s the filter in your car or your home, they screen out the gunk in the air that could clog your engine or HVAC system (and your lungs). Pollen, dust, and other pollutants are unavoidable, but an air filter prevents them from circulating. In race cars, air filters are critical because clean air translates into higher power output of the engine, which translates to a faster car that wins races. The same is true of your home HVAC. The cleaner the air that goes in, the better the system will run (although it probably won’t win any races).
But how often should you change the air filters in your home?
The answer is, it depends. Though the average replacement should occur every 90 days, many factors might make you want to change your filters more frequently. Here are a few to consider.
Pets
If you have pets, you should change your filter every 60 days. If you have multiple pets, especially ones that shed, every 30 days is ideal.
Allergies
You’d be surprised at how much pollen and outside dust end up inside your home, even if you rarely open your windows. If you suffer from seasonal or dust allergies, consider changing your filter as often as every 30 days.
The filters you use
Air filters aren’t the place to be frugal. Inexpensive filters will save you money in the short term, but they’ll cost more in the long run because you must replace them more often; they can even hinder the performance of your HVAC system. Avoid the cheap fiberglass filters and purchase the pleated ones instead.
Changing your filters regularly will keep your HVAC system running in top shape and save money (even when you buy the pleated filters). The U.S. Department of Energy calculates that your energy expenditure can be lowered by as much as 15% just by swapping out a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one.
And with FilterTime, you never have to worry about forgetting to change your filters. Contact us today for more information about getting your air filters delivered directly to your home so you’ll always receive a new one when it’s time to replace the old one.
Our friends at Military Home Search put together a great article explaining how to choose and maintain your air conditioning unit. The guide: https://www.militaryhomesearch.com/air-conditioner-guide.php
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