Changing your air filter is one of the most important things you can do to take good care of your HVAC system. It helps keep everything running smoothly and also helps keep your energy bills low. But how often should you change the air filter? It depends on the type of filter you use and the usage of your HVAC system. Pleated air filters are more expensive at first, but they are also more efficient at trapping particles and can last up to 90 days, depending on usage.
Fiberglass filters, on the other hand, need to be changed every 30 days. If you use your HVAC system almost constantly, the filter will need to be changed every few weeks (especially if you use fiberglass filters). Coarser filters are denser and block more dust and particles, but they can also make the oven work harder to suck in air. Large pleated filters can work well with a replacement once every three months or six months.
Designed with three stages of air filtration plus a UV light, for hospitals, dental offices and more, these filters are available in 1 inch thick and in a large number of sizes. The thickness of the filter varies from one to five inches and, in general, the thicker the filter, the more particulate blocking capacity it will have. If you have pets, check out the Aerostar Allergen & Pet Dander MERV 11 pleated disposable air filter that blocks a large amount of airborne particles, including pet hair and pet dander. For humid regions, consider the Filter King MERV 8 filter with mold protection, which is designed to trap contaminants, including mold spores, and allow free air flow through the filter to reduce the risk of mold or mildew growth.
Filtrete uses exclusive 3-in-1 technology to trap filter media such as lint, dust, pet dander, soot, pollen and mold spores. The only way to be sure how often your air filter should be changed is to do a visual inspection of the filter every month. According to a CNN article, HEPA filters with MERV ratings of 17 to 20 are best at reducing the spread of viruses, but most household ovens cannot extract air through a dense HEPA filter. In addition to filtering out particles filtered by MERV 8 and 11, MERV 13 can filter kitchen smoke, smog and virus carriers. The best way to find out what size filter you need is to remove the existing filter from your HVAC system and check its dimensions on the filter frame. Air filters need to be changed regularly in your home to keep the system running smoothly and to maintain optimal air quality.
