When it comes to keeping your home's air clean and healthy, changing your furnace air filter is an essential part of the process. But how often should you be replacing your filter? The answer depends on a few factors, such as the size of your home, the outdoor air quality, and whether anyone in your household has allergies. In general, it's recommended to replace your air filter every three months. This is a good rule of thumb to follow, even in the summer months.
However, if you want to be sure that you're changing your filter at the right time, it's best to visually inspect it every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty and can adjust accordingly. You may need to reassess if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. In larger homes with more occupants, filters will need to be changed more frequently than in homes with only one or two people.
If someone in your household has allergies, they will benefit from more frequent air filter changes. In this case, it's best to change the filter every 30 to 60 days. The type of filter you use can also affect how often you need to change it. Thicker filters with higher MERV ratings are denser and require less frequent changes than thinner filters with lower MERV ratings.
However, not all furnaces are powerful enough to draw air through these denser filters, so be sure to check with your manufacturer before making any changes. Finally, outdoor air quality can have a big impact on how often the air filter becomes dirty and needs to be replaced. If the filter is dirty, the furnace won't be able to circulate clean air throughout the house, which could put your health at risk. Clogged filters not only negatively affect the air quality in a home, but also force the furnace to work harder to draw air into the system and thus shorten its life.
To ensure that only clean air comes out of your HVAC system, replace the air filter before it becomes clogged so that you can breathe better. In short, changing your furnace air filter regularly is essential for keeping your home's air clean and healthy. It's recommended to replace your filter every three months or more frequently if someone in your household has allergies or if the outdoor air quality is poor. Be sure to consider all factors when determining when to change an old filter and always check with your manufacturer before making any changes.
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