How Often Should I Change the HVAC System’s Air Filters?

Last year we wrote a tutorial post about how to change the air filter in your HVAC system. As a brief reminder of why this is important, a clogged air filter can cause the following problems for your air conditioning and heating system:

• A significant plunge in energy efficiency because the blower motor must strain harder against the obstructions in the filter.
• Potential damage to the interior of the HVAC system because of dust and dirt infiltration.
• A general decline in comfort around the house because there will no longer be sufficient airflow.

A question we often hear from customers is, “How often does the filter need to be changed?” We’re glad people ask this, because there’s a misleading belief—one we’ve seen too often wandering around the Internet—that the air filter only needs to be changed once a year. Nothing could be further from the truth! In some cases, an HVAC filter needs to be changed as often as once a month.

How Often Should You Change Your HVAC Air Filter?

There isn’t a single answer to the question about how often an HVAC filter must be changed. The frequency depends on a number of factors:

1. How often the heater and air conditioner run during heating and cooling season.
2. The amount of dust, dander, and lint circulating through the rooms.
3. The type of filter used.

Because we have over 30 years of experience with Northern Indiana weather conditions, we have a good idea about #1. We can’t speak directly to #2 because it changes from house to house. As for #3, we can give you a breakdown of the filter types and how often they need to be changed based on our regular weather conditions:

• Panel filters: These are inexpensive filters made of basic screens of fiberglass. You can purchase them in packs that cost about a dollar per filter. We recommend changing these filters every month.
• Pleated filters: More expensive but more effective filters made from polyester. A pleated filter should be changed every 3 to 4 months.
• Media filter: A more powerful type of pleated filter, you may only need to change this filter type twice a year.
• Permanent filters: These filters aren’t changed, but cleaned, something they should receive monthly. We don’t recommend pleated filters because they can trap bacteria and develop mold.

The best way to know for certain how often you should change the filter is to check on it every 4 to 6 weeks to see if it is becoming clogged. (It’s a good idea to write the date the filter was put in place with a marker on its side; that way you’ll always know how long it’s been in.) You’ll soon learn the pattern of how often the filter becomes congested.

Need Help with Filter Changes? Our Techs Have You Covered

Remember to schedule your spring air conditioning maintenance in Bluffton, IN or the surrounding areas with our team. Our technicians can help you determine how often you should have your HVAC system filter changed. Get in touch with us to sign up for our HomeSavers Club so you’ll always have the maintenance assistance necessary for excellent cooling and heating around the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the general guideline for how often I should change my HVAC air filter?
Answer: How often you change an HVAC air filter depends on several factors, but many systems need replacement every 1 to 3 months. Basic filters can clog quickly, especially with frequent HVAC use, pets, or poor indoor air quality. Checking the filter monthly helps you decide the right schedule for your home.

Question: Do different types of HVAC filters have different change schedules?
Answer: Yes. Simple panel filters should be changed about every month, pleated filters about 3 to 4 months, and media filters around twice a year. Permanent or washable filters aren’t replaced but should be cleaned monthly.

Question: What factors can make me change my filter more often than the usual schedule?
Answer: You may need to change your filter more often if you have pets or allergies, live in a dusty or polluted area, or run your HVAC system frequently. These conditions clog filters faster, so checking monthly is a good habit.

Question: Why should I replace my HVAC air filter on schedule?
Answer: Regularly replacing filters helps maintain good indoor air quality, improves system efficiency, prevents strain on HVAC components, and can lower energy costs. Filters clogged with dust and debris reduce airflow and make your system work harder.

Question: How can I tell when an HVAC air filter needs to be changed?
Answer: A filter that looks dirty, gray, or blocked when held up to light is a clear sign it needs replacing. Even if it hasn’t hit a time milestone, visible dust means you should change it to keep air quality and airflow optimal.

Collier’s Heating & Air Conditioning—A company you’ve grown to trust.

Tags: AC Maintenance, air conditioning tips, Bluffton
Monday, May 29th, 2017 at 11:00 am | Categories: Air Conditioning |