How Often Should I Replace My Air Filters?
A common question between all homeowners is, “when should I change my air filters?” Knowing when exactly to change your air/furnace filters can be important not only to your HVAC unit, but to your health as well. However, there is not a concrete answer to this very common question. Below are some helpful tips to answer this question.
- Filters should be replaced monthly, and more frequently with excessive pet hair
- Highly recommend non-pleated filters
- Avoid listening to the packaging on your filters regarding when to replace. Many brands will lie to justify the high cost of their filters
- If allergies are a concern for you, you should invest in a central filtration system. Either:
- Media
- Electronic
- Hybrid
Something to note here is that basic air/furnace filters are not engineered for allergies. They are created primarily for maintenance reduction and protecting your equipment from large particles. The benefit with having a central filtration system is that there are fewer filters (one central filtration method) and less frequent media filter replacement – about 6-12 months.
In conclusion, the best answer is to replace your filters at the very least once a month regardless of what your packaging tells you. If you have pets that shed often, replace even more frequently.