When it comes to furnace filters, professionals like our team at Airco Service, Inc. recommend changing them at least every three months. During winter, when you rely more on your heating system, it's best to increase that frequency and replace the filter every month. In most cases, you should replace the filter at least every three months, even in summer.
If you don't seem to remember to do it, a good rule of thumb is to change your oven filter every time the seasons change. Most manufacturers recommend this on their packaging. But is it necessary to change an oven filter as often during a cold winter as during a sub-zero winter? There are many factors that influence how often the air filter should be replaced, including filter variety, thickness, size, MERV rating, and even the number of people in your household. Vacuum or clean reusable filters according to manufacturer's instructions, or replace disposable air filters as soon as they look dirty.
If your house has a lot of dust, you'll need to change the one- and two-inch filters every month, the four-inch filters every two months, and the five-inch filters every three months. Air filters are designed to trap and remove fine particles from the air circulating through the system. The filter is placed in a shared air handler where it cleans the air before diverting it to the conditioning unit or oven. If you don't change your air filter regularly, you don't allow it to serve its intended purpose of purifying the air in your home.
Because filters with higher MERV ratings are denser, your oven must work harder to draw air through them and not all ovens are powerful enough to do so. However, remember that if you use the HVAC system a lot, the filters will need to be changed more often (once a month). If the outside temperature is extremely cold or hot and the boiler or air conditioner is running non-stop to keep up, filters that should have lasted 90 days will need to be changed every 30 days to ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. According to the Department of Energy, routine replacement of air filters can reduce air conditioning energy consumption by 5 to 15%.Even if no one in the household is allergic, it is advisable to change the oven filter frequently - every 30 days if you have several pets - so that the oven works efficiently.
Homeowners can purchase reusable filters for HVAC systems, but these filters should be checked regularly and cleaned or replaced when they become damaged or soiled. If your furniture becomes dusty soon after cleaning the house, the oven filter could be clogged and no longer effectively removes dust from the air. Some HVAC systems are designed with a single air filtration system rather than separate systems for air conditioning and oven. To ensure that your HVAC system runs efficiently and effectively all winter long, make sure you replace your furnace filter regularly - at least once a month if you use it frequently - and check for any signs of damage or clogging.
