When the air filter becomes too dirty, it becomes clogged and the engine cannot draw enough air into the combustion chamber. When this happens, the engine will use more gasoline and less air, resulting in lower performance and reduced fuel efficiency. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or every 3 months. This may change depending on the location of your home (e.g.Dry and dusty climates), if you have pets and the age of your system and equipment.
If you have pets at home, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or every 2 months, and in homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend that you change the filter every 20 to 45 days. Usually, vacation homes or vacant homes that aren't used much can expect to change filters every 9 to 12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you'll have to change your air filter. A clogged air filter is a fire hazard.
When an HVAC furnace filter is dirty and clogged, oxygen can't get through it. This could cause a “flame spread”. What this means is that the flames will come out of the furnace cabin and consume more oxygen. When you run your HVAC under these conditions, you increase the chances of it catching fire.
If you've never changed an air filter, you might not know these common signs that it needs to be changed. If you notice that your heating and cooling bills are gradually increasing, it may be a sign that your system's efficiency is starting to decrease because the air filter needs to be replaced. Air filters are designed to allow air to flow freely through them and, at the same time, to trap dust, dirt, bacteria and other contaminants. If neglected for too long, the filter can begin to restrict airflow, increasing heating and cooling costs.
It is generally recommended to replace pleated air filters every 90 days. If you wait longer, the filter's efficiency will decrease as it becomes clogged with dirt, dust and allergens in the air. For most people, the difficult part of changing the air filter is determining what type of replacement you should buy. In situations where you can't find the MERV rating on the air filter packaging, you can look for a filter with a lot of creases per foot.
Check the sides of the existing air filter for dimensions, and then go online or to a local home improvement store to find an air filter that matches the dimensions listed. Over time, the air filter builds up dirt, dust, hair, and other contaminants that may be found in the house. The right frequency to replace the air filter in a home may not be the right choice for every household. When you buy a new air filter, check the manufacturer's recommendations for a basic idea of how often you should change the filter.
Air filters are usually made of spun fiberglass (the same that forms the insulation of the attic) or pleated paper and are framed with cardboard for greater stability and stiffness. If you wait too long to replace it, the air filter can fail and allow airborne particles to enter your air conditioning system and cause damage that could require costly repairs. When you start to see an increase in particles or pollutants in the air, you should change your filter more often. External factors, such as excess pollen, nearby construction, or home renovation, can also shorten the lifespan of an air filter.
This class of air filters is great for homes on a budget where there are no occupants with respiratory problems. Air filters with MERV ratings ranging from 17 to 20 are designed for areas that require absolute sterility, such as operating rooms or rooms for immunosuppressed people. In most cases, air filters with a MERV rating of 16 or lower are designed for residential, commercial and institutional HVAC systems. Studies have shown that the air in your home can be two to five times more polluted than outside air.
When it comes time to buy new air filters for your HVAC system, you should keep a few things in mind. When the air filter is clogged, the HVAC unit requires a lot of extra work to circulate fresh air throughout the house; the extra work requires more electricity.
