Your central AC system keeps you cool and comfortable every summer by moving a lot of air, both inside and outside your home, which is why air conditioner maintenance is important. Inside your home, there is an air handler unit that draws indoor air across the evaporator coil where the heat and moisture is extracted, leaving the indoor air cooler and more comfortable. At the same time, the cool air is re-circulated back to your home. Your air conditioner system’s air filter is typically located inside the air handler unit or just outside the cabinet in the ductwork. It traps airborne pollutants from the air coming into the system which can help keep your cooling system components cleaner and maintain improved quality of the air you and your family breathe. Show
To help protect your air conditioner’s lifespan, and improve comfort, it’s important to clean or replace your HVAC filter regularly. Here’s why:
Now that we’ve established the importance of filter maintenance, we should also point out that answering the question “How often should I change my air filter?” does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. Some should be replaced every 30 to 60 days. Others might last 6 months to a year. The answer depends on factors such as how often you use the system, the type of filter, whether there are any pets in the home, and your personal habits such as having smokers in the house, use of a wood-burning fireplace, and more. For your comfort and well-being, and potentially to help save you money in the long run, regular filter inspections and replacement should be a part of your routine air conditioner maintenance. 1 See Department of Energy Types of Air FiltersThe general recommendation for how often to change air filters can range from every 30 days to every year. Two of the determining factors for a filter’s lifespan are the type and quality of the filter that is being used.
For each of the above types of filters, you can compare their effectiveness by checking their MERV rating. MERV is an acronym for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a rating of the filter’s ability to trap airborne particles as well as its ability to allow proper airflow. MERV ratings can be between 1 and 16, with 16 providing the best filtration. Factors That Impact How Often to Replace the Air FilterThe lifespan of an air filter is also impacted by the occupants of the home and the characteristics of the home itself. Because an air filter is one of the home’s first lines of defense against pollutants and allergens, it’s important to have a feel for how your home and your actions can affect the timeline for replacing the filter. Quality of the AirYour activities and your home’s location both can have an effect on indoor air quality. Some examples that can reduce indoor air quality include:
If one or more of the above apply to your home, a good answer to “how often to replace air filter” is “at least once every 30 days”. Asthma or AllergiesIf you have allergy sufferers in the home, or individuals with asthma, you know that these people can be more sensitive to airborne particles such as dust mites, pollen and mold spores. Selecting a good quality filter with 12 – 16 MERV to remove a high percentage of offending particulates. Be sure to check your filter at a minimum of once per month. Pets in the HomeWith animals in the home, the question of how often to change air filters will depend upon a number of factors, including the number, size, and hair length of the animal(s). Pet dander and hair increases the volume of airborne materials that an air filter must capture. Pets also can bring additional bacteria, viruses, insects, dirt and dust into the home. Frequency of filter checks and how often to replace your air filter shouldn’t vary too much if you have just one pet living in the home. If this is the case, follow the recommendations provided by the filter manufacturer. With multiple pets in the home, we recommend checking the filter with more frequency, at a minimum of once every 30 days. Size of the HomeThe HVAC system in a larger home will circulate higher volumes of air, and therefore trap higher volumes of airborne particles in its filter. This means that air filters in larger homes should be checked, cleaned and replaced with more frequency than those in smaller homes. How Often You Use the UnitThe more often a heating and cooling system is used, the more air that will be pumped through the air filter, and the more pollutants that will be stirred up and trapped. If the home is in a moderate climate and the air conditioner is used infrequently, the air filter will not need to be changed as often. The same is true for vacation homes. An air filter in a vacation home can last much longer than the average residential home due to its infrequent use. The opposite is true for air conditioners that are used more than average or if the customer utilizes continuous fan mode. In the heat of summer in Florida, when the air conditioner is running all the time, the filter will likely need to be changed more often than the recommended amount. Ultimately, the decision on how often to check, clean or replace your HVAC system’s air filter is up to you. Understanding all of the variables involved will help you make a good choice. Find an Air Conditioner Maintenance Professional Near YouIf you would like help with your air conditioner maintenance, you can always schedule an appointment. Your local Carrier HVAC dealer offers the expertise needed to properly diagnose and service your AC system. Contact a Carrier HVAC Dealer How do I know if my home air filter needs changing?5 Signs Your Air Filter Needs to Be Replaced. Dust and Dirt Around Vents. Dust and dirt collecting around AC vents may be caused by a clogged air filter. ... . The Filter Looks Dirty or Clogged. ... . Rise in Electricity Bill. ... . It Takes Longer to Heat or Cool Your Home. ... . The AC Unit Is Hot.. What happens if you don't change air filter in house?The air filter keeps dust and other debris from circulating through your HVAC system. If the air filter fails to do this, not only will the debris pass through and start clogging your HVAC system, but it will also end up circulating through your home along with the air that your system circulates.
How often should I change air filters in my house?Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
Why does my home air filter get dirty so fast?If you notice that your air filters get dirty very quickly, it might be due to the quality of the air filter you're buying. Cheaper air filters cost less because they are low quality. As a result, they have a shorter lifespan than high-performance air filters. Take for example a standard fiberglass air filter.
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