If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to keep your HVAC system running efficiently, you’re in luck. One of the easiest ways to ensure your unit runs at maximum efficiency is to change the air filter regularly.
The air filter in your HVAC unit helps remove the majority of particles from the air, resulting in better indoor air quality and increased efficiency of your entire system. Additionally, it can contribute to the longevity of your system and lessen the need for repairs over time. Seeing the air filter plays an important role, it’s essential that it remains clean so it can do its job properly.
This brings us to the age-old question: how often do you really need to change your HVAC system’s air filter?
Unfortunately, there is no “right” answer, as the frequency varies from household to household. Here are some factors that affect how often you should change your filter:
- Overall usage. The timeline for changing your air filter correlates directly to how often your HVAC system is used. If you have a vacation home used only a few times per year, the filter would only need to be changed once a year. For a typical family home, the filter should be replaced every 90 days (or three months) at a minimum. During the warmer months of the year when your air conditioner is used often, it’s recommended to replace the air filter on a monthly basis.
- People and pets. Your home’s overall air quality is affected by the number of people and pets living in your home. The more people and pets you have, the more frequently you’ll need to replace your air filter. Pets bring dirt and dust from the outdoors indoors as well as add their dander to the air, all of which negatively impact indoor air quality. In general, change your filter every 60 days. More pets mean your air filter is working that much harder to clean the air, in which case your filter should be changed monthly.
- Allergies. If you or a household member suffers from allergies, your air filters should be changed every 30-45 days. A clean filter will better remove allergens, including hold and dust, allowing your family to breathe easier, resulting in better health for everyone.
- Type of filter. There are many high-efficiency air filters on the market which trap more air particles and allergens and have a longer life span than traditional filters. Check the manufacturer’s suggestion for filter replacement, and adjust based on that as well as the above reference factors.
If you have more questions about air filter replacement or how to replace your filter, contact the HVAC experts at Pioneer Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Since 1981, Pioneer Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has been a family-owned business working every day at being Knoxville’s most trusted name in home comfort. When you work with us, you will be working with skilled, helpful, and friendly faces who are willing to help you in any way. Call us at [hls_phone_number] for your Geothermal questions or visit us online to request a call and be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook to stay up to date!
Sources
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-hvac-filter