How Often Should You Change Your HVAC System’s Air Filter
We recommend that you change the air filter for your HVAC system once every 1-3 months. Changing the air filter for your AC system is an important part of regular maintenance for your HVAC system, but it’s often overlooked. This is a task you can perform on your own, and one that you should learn to perform on your own.
I have been working with HVAC systems for 15 years, and I have seen some nightmare filters in my time. Some that haven’t been changed for a whole year and are completely covered in buildup. I have also shown plenty of homeowners how easy it is to change the air filter, so they feel comfortable doing it on their own.
In this article, I’m going to tell you when to change your air filter, and why it’s so important to do so. If you want to schedule regular maintenance for your air conditioning or heating system, give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222. Our technicians service Southwest Virginia and Northeastern Tennesee, making sure homes are cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and comfortable all year round.
Why Should You Change Your Air Filter Every 1-3 Months?
Your air filter sits in place in your HVAC system, catching any airborne particles that may pass through in the airflow. Allergens, bacteria, dust, dirt, mold spores, and pollen are just some of the irritants that get caught in the filter and are prevented from circulating in the air. After some time, the filter builds up with these irritants and gets clogged.
We recommend you change your air filters every 1-3 months to prevent the filter from clogging, and promote clean air and good airflow. There are some reasons you’d want to change it more often than not.
Your filter should be changed at least once a season. Depending on how much you run your HVAC systems, it may need to be done more often. During the spring and fall, if you aren’t running your HVAC systems as much, you may be able to let it go for closer to the 3 month range. Then, during the winter and summer months, when you are running the HVAC systems constantly, it may be a better idea to change the filter once a month.
There are some other factors that may push you towards changing the filter more often as well:
- Children or elderly occupants who need clean, healthy air more than anyone.
- Occupants with breathing issues and respiratory conditions
- Homes with pets that may have odors and dander
- Homes with smokers
These factors may contribute to you wanting to change the filter more often than once every 3 months.
When Should You Change Your Air Filter?
The best way to make sure you are changing your air filter regularly is to put it on a calendar. We recommend you make sure you mark the beginning of each season. That way, you are guaranteeing that you will at least change it 4 times a year.
You should purchase a few filters at a time and keep them stored away, so you don’t have to constantly order new ones or have to make a trip to the store. You can take a look at your current filter and judge if it needs to be replaced or not midseason. As long as you have a few filters on hand, it should be simple to take a look at it once a month and decide if it’s time to make the switch or not.
How Do You Change Your Air Filter?
Changing the air filter is simple. If you have a system that uses ductwork, you have an air filter located somewhere near the air handler unit.
- Find the cover for the filter
- Turn off your HVAC system
- Remove the filter cover
- Remove the filter
- Replace with the new filter
- Replace the cover
- Turn the system back on
It’s a simple process, and one that you can perform on your own. We recommend that you ask your technician during your next service how to change the filter. They will gladly walk you through the process. If you are still having trouble, take a look at some videos on YouTube. There are plenty of tips and pointers to get you started.
Are All Air Filters The Same?
No, not all air filters are the same. They have different efficiency ratings, measured by MERV. The ratings go from 1-16, with 1 being the least efficient and 16 being the most. The higher the rating, the smaller the particles the filter can catch. That doesn’t necessarily mean that these are the filters that you should get for your home.
MERV 16-rated filters can get clogged more easily, and are sometimes not the best for energy efficiency. They are used in hospitals and labs, places that need to be extra clean. We recommend you look at the filters your system was installed with, and make sure you have ones similar in rating, and the appropriate size to fit your system.
Scheduling HVAC Service For Your Home
The very best way to take care of your HVAC system is by scheduling routine maintenance. If you live in Abingdon, Bristol, Chilhowie, or any of the surrounding areas, give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222. Our team of expert technicians will be able to service your system, change your air filter, and make sure your home or business are perfectly comfortable all year round!