Changing your air filter regularly is one of the most important things you can do to take care of your air conditioner. This keeps everything running smoothly while also lowering your electricity bills. Unfortunately, many individuals overlook this routine for long, increasing potential servicing concerns. Many people are concerned about their AC only when it breaks down. Here are some general guidelines and recommendations to help you with the best air filter decisions.
How often should you change your AC filters?
Depending on a number of circumstances, it is recommended that you change your air filter in your house every 30 to 90 days. If you leave your air filter for too long, it will gather dirt and perhaps release toxic substances.
What do you need to consider?
- Health conditions: Is there anyone in your home who suffers from allergies or asthma? Indoor air quality is equally as essential as outside air quality. Pollution in the air may be hazardous. If you have anyone with a health condition in your household, they will be considerably more susceptible to airborne particles than others.
- Pets: Do you have any pets at home? Then you should replace your air filter every two months if you have a pet.
- Kids: Do you have kids at home? If you have kids at home, you should ensure that your indoor air quality is as good as possible. You should replace your filter every 2-3 months to keep your house clean and air quality under control.
How long can your air filters last?
1. What is the frequency with which you use your AC?
If you live in a moderate area and just use your air conditioner for a few hours a day, one filter may last you a season or even a year. On the other hand, if you use your AC regularly, you will need to change the filter every few weeks (especially if you are using fiberglass filters).
2. What is the size of your house?
If you live in a smaller house, your air conditioner will pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, perhaps resulting in fewer filter replacements. However, because smaller appliances intended to cool tiny spaces generally have smaller filters, you may need to change the filter more frequently than a filter in a bigger house.
What basic steps can you take to change your air filter?
To begin, you must locate and determine the size and kind of filters you need. Replace them with the appropriate size and kind of air filter. Install the filter when you've identified the required type and size. Fiberglass air filters are commonly used in older systems. These should be replaced regularly, roughly every 30 days. Pleated filters, likewise rectangular and have a depth of roughly one inch, are commonly used in newer systems. AC experts usually recommend every 45 days for maximum performance.
Tips:
- Depending on how frequently you use the system, unoccupied vacation homes should change the air filter every 6-12 months.
- Air filters in single-person households with no pets might be replaced as seldom as every 4-6 months.
- Filters should be changed at least every 90 days in non-pet homes.
- Filters should be changed every 60 days in single-pet homes.
- Households with several pets may require filters to be changed as often as every 20 days.
Wrap Up
It is important that you know the right filter for your air conditioning system. The goal is to change (or clean) them on a regular basis. A dirty filter should always be replaced with a new, clean one. If you have allergies or a pet, replace your filters more frequently than recommended.
The following factors may determine the frequency with which you should replace your air filters:
- Air filter model
- Indoor air quality
- Number of pets
- Household size
- Air pollution levels and construction around the residence
