The only way to be sure how often the air filter should be changed is to do a visual inspection of the filter every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty. You will need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. Usually, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months.
This may change depending on the location of your home (for example, dry and dusty climates), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in the household, it is advisable to change the filter every 60 days or 2 months. For households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20-45 days. Vacation homes or empty homes that don't see much use can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months.
The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. The ideal is to change the air filter every three months, however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to change an old filter. An HVAC filter will only last one to three months on average, so it is important to keep track of the date you installed them. If you wait too long to change the filter, indoor air quality will suffer.
A pleated air filter (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) should be replaced every 90 days. As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, its efficiency decreases. Cats and dogs shed and have odors that can accumulate in your space, so you need to change the filter every 2 months. Ovens and air conditioners in small homes need to pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, which can mean less frequent filter changes.
A modern single-occupancy home or condominium with no pets will require a less frequent air filter change. As air passes through a building's HVAC system, air filters trap and collect large and small particles, such as dust, allergens, and microorganisms. After a renovation, such as a project involving drywall, there may be pieces of drywall, dirt and dust accumulated in the air ducts, restricting the flow of air through the air filters. Usually, cats and dogs shed more when winter turns into spring and summer into autumn, which are key times to replace the filter.
For a family of four, it is important to change their air filters more often than a single person's house. The HVAC air filter helps keep indoor air clean by trapping mold, pollen and other contaminants moving through the system. Stronger filters are reusable, usually with metal frames, and can be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.
