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How Often Should I Change My HVAC Air Filter? (And More Filter Questions Answered)

Are you about to install an HVAC system in your new home? Or are you looking to update your old one? No matter the circumstance, you need regular HVAC maintenance.

Among the many different parts that make up an HVAC system, the air filter is one that plays a crucial role. The air filter helps clean the air that circulates through your HVAC system.

Unfortunately, 82% of Americans fail to change their air filters regularly. This results in a myriad of problems that affect both the HVAC system and your health.

Hence, the question — how often should you clean or replace your HVAC air filter?

Continue reading below as we discuss changing air filters and other common questions.

The HVAC Air Filter: How Often Should You Change It?

How often should you change an HVAC air filter? There is no exact answer to this question because of certain factors. Replacing your air filters depend on the type of filter you’re using.

If you use affordable fiberglass filters, you need to change them every month. You can go for slightly more expensive pleated filters which can last up to six months before replacement.

The size of your filter also matters as well as the number of people in your household. If someone in your home is asthmatic, you should replace your air filters more often.

Therefore, if you’re using pleated filters, replace them every six weeks if someone in the family is asthmatic. If you have pets, you should change your air filters roughly every two months.

What Happens If You Don’t Change It?

As we mentioned earlier, failing to replace your air filters can lead to problems. What if you don’t consistently start changing air filters?

A common issue is that your AC will have to work harder to achieve the indoor temperature you want. This is because all the dirt, dust, and debris in the air filter will restrict airflow through the HVAC. As a result, you can expect your monthly energy bills to soar.

In line with the HVAC’s performance, a dirty filter will also affect your comfort. Your HVAC system may struggle until it no longer gives acceptable heating or cooling.

Failing to replace your air filters can also lead to them collapsing. All the dust and debris will accumulate after months of zero replacements. In turn, the dust will build up and create a load that may be too much for the filters to handle. When your air filters collapse, they may create a gap. With that gap, air will just move around without getting any filtering.

In some cases, they can even damage other parts of your HVAC. This may lead to hundreds of dollars dedicated to repairs.

Health Concerns

Apart from the impact on your HVAC, failing to change your air filters can also pose health hazards. For starters, your family will experience poor indoor temperature. This is something you shouldn’t take for granted, especially during summer and winter.

You may also see more dirt inside your home. If your child is asthmatic, the dust can trigger asthma attacks.

You may experience frequent sneezing and coughing. This may be due to the dust and contaminants coming out from the HVAC. This may come with accompanying headaches, dizziness, and itchy eyes.

When it comes to long-term effects, you may develop various respiratory diseases. In some extreme cases, people develop heart disease and even cancer. Long-term exposure to poor indoor air quality can greatly affect your health.

What’s Your Next Move?

When dealing with old and ineffective air filters, there is no better move than to replace them ASAP. To do this, you must first identify the specific filters that need replacing. You can do this manually by opening up your HVAC system.

However, you may not have the right tools and experience. You may also be too busy or you don’t feel too confident tinkering with your air conditioners. In this case, your best bet is to call a trusted HVAC professional.

Consider replacing your old air filters with a different filter type. If you’re using cheap fiberglass filters, upgrade to pleated filters that last longer.

If you wish to take things to the next level, you should look into products offering air purification. One excellent example is the HALO-LED Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier. This product works as your proactive air-conditioned treatment.

The in-duct air purifier treats and cleanses every cubic inch of space that your AC covers. It uses the REME-LED technology that effectively reduces all sorts of airborne contaminants.

Apart from dust and allergens, it reduces molds, bacteria, viruses, and smoke odors in the air. As for the other features, it comes with automatic self-cleaning ionizers. It also has unlimited cycling capabilities.

More Tips to Boost Indoor Air Quality

On top of replacing your old air filters, you need to incorporate these practices in your home. Firstly, try to limit your plants outdoors as much as you can. Keeping plants indoors contributes to mold formation.

Try to keep your house as clean as possible. Vacuum your rugs and carpets regularly. Do this once or twice a week. Make sure to use a vacuum cleaner that comes with a HEPA filter.

Clear your rooms of clutter. This is one of the fastest ways to trap dust and other particles indoors.

Make sure you clean and replace your drapes and bedding regularly.

Let’s Change Your Air Filters, Today!

Knowing when to replace your air filter is an important part of HVAC maintenance. It ensures your HVAC system’s top-notch performance and saves you from spending. This includes repairs and medication.

If changing air filters is something you cannot perform, we can provide a helping hand. We can replace and install a new HVAC air filter and save you from the trouble. Request an estimate and let’s work on your HVAC, today!

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