How Often Should HVAC Filters Be Changed?

The Canadian government offers grants for energy-efficient heaters. It’s an excellent opportunity to upgrade your system. Yet, if you’re a new owner of an HVAC, you might not know how to keep it running efficiently.

If you’re asking the question, “How often should HVAC filters be changed?” keep reading.

In this HVAC filter guide, you’ll learn about what things to look out for in your filter. You should try to use a high-quality one that will last. Ask for a professional to help you if you don’t know how to change it.

If you’re ready to learn about HVAC filters, check out the tips below.

Different Air Filters

Try changing the air filter every 30 days if you use a cheaper filter. A higher-end pleated filter will likely last for half a year. Replace the pleated air or furnace filters in your house after three months.

If you leave the filter in place for a long time, dust, dirt, and allergens will clog the filter.

Family Members With Allergies or Asthma

The air quality indoors is as critical as the outdoor air quality. Outdoor air can contain harmful pollution, depending on where you live.

Yet, indoor air can often get contaminated by different allergens. This becomes even trickier if you have someone in your family with allergies or asthma. They will experience sickness from the airborne particulates.

Does Your Household Have Any Pets?

Pet owners should consider changing their filter a bit more often. You could change the air filter at least every two months when summer shifts to fall and winter to spring.

Cats and dogs will shed more during the changing seasons.

What About Younger Kids?

As a parent, you want to ensure the indoor air is healthy and free of harmful contaminants. Change the air filters every two months and keep the house clean. Get into the habit of dusting, vacuuming, and mopping.

Do You Use the HVAC Often?

People who live in a mild climate might only use their furnace or AC for a couple of hours each day. Your air filter could last a whole season or a year, depending on how little you use it.

Yet, if you run your HVAC system constantly, you might need to change the filter more often. Some homeowners change the air filter every few weeks.

How Large Is Your Home?

The size of your home will affect the HVAC system filters. The HVAC won’t pump as much air in a small house to change the temperature. You might notice you don’t change the filter too often.

Yet, the smaller appliance to cool a small space will have a smaller filter.

What’s the Air Quality Like Indoors and Outside?

The HVAC replacement cycle will depend on the air inside and outside your house. Poor air quality outside or pets running around; you’ll replace the filter often.

The air circulating through your home will pass through the filter. That’s why you want to change them often.

What Happens If You Don’t Change the Filters?

If you fail to change the filter as frequently as needed, you could end up with an HVAC system malfunction. You might also notice the equipment’s become damaged.

Other homeowners notice that there’s reduced airflow inside the system. The fans end up working hard, and they wear out way faster.

Contaminants can build up inside the ductwork. Thus, the contaminants might end up released back into your air. Your system isn’t going to remove the pollutants and particles as effectively.

Your HVAC equipment will work harder, and you’ll use more energy. This can impact your electric bill.

Furnace and air filters should get examined once a month. If they are found dirty, change them right away.

After you remove the air filter, hold it up to the light. Is the filter clogged or dirty? If you cannot see the light, it’s time for a change.

Changing the HVAC Filter

First, make sure you buy the right size filter. Check the old filter you removed if you aren’t sure of the size. You could also measure the length, width, and depth of the filter.

Next, you’ll turn off the unit. Turn your system off near the circuit breaker or flip the switch on the thermostat. The air filter is either in the air handler or return duct.

Get rid of the cover or the grille to the air filter. You might need to remove it from the system’s air handler.

Yet, you might want to hire a professional to handle this job. Find a local HVAC technician in your area.

If you’re looking to change your system, and want something quieter, ask an HVAC professional. Look online and search for the lowest decibel ratings.

How Often Should HVAC Filters Be Changed?

Did you find this guide helpful on HVAC filters? Consider changing your HVAC filter more often if you live in a home with lots of pets or people with allergies. You don’t want to cause anyone to get sick.

Look at buying high-quality air filters as well. Now that you have the answer to “How often should HVAC filters be changed?” stay on top of this maintenance task. Make sure you put a reminder on your phone.

Need more home improvement or maintenance tips? Keep browsing the blog today.