How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter?

You should replace your air conditioner filter approximately every 90 days, if you don't have allergies, but AC professionals generally recommend every 45 days for maximum efficiency. Be sure to replace them with the correct size and type of air filter. If your air conditioner is working properly, you can remove the filter and buy one that is identical to it. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies suggest changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months.

That may vary depending on the location of your home (e.g. EJ. dry and dusty climates), if you have pets and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in the house, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days.

Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can usually wait to change filters every 9-12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. The only way to ensure how often you need to change your air filter is to perform a visual inspection of the filter every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty.

You will need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. If you live in a home, the air conditioner filter needs to be changed every 6 to 12 months. In commercial buildings, it is recommended to replace the filter with a new one every 1-12 months. Air conditioning filters are relatively easy to remove and install. Regular replacement of filters will help keep your air conditioning system more efficient and produce cleaner air. If you have questions about replacing your air filter, or if you need any air conditioning or heating services, Energy Air can help.

Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. Consider the factors discussed above to determine a replacement program and decide what type and quality of filter you should use. Children are more sensitive than adults to indoor air pollutants such as mold, dust mite debris, dander and pollen, so turn your home into an oasis by using quality air filters and replacing them before they become clogged and dirty too much. If you want a dog or cat that is hypoallergenic or does not shed hair, you may not have to replace the air filter as much. The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA, or high-energy particulate air filters.

During times when you use your system frequently, you can even benefit from replacing filters every few weeks instead of every month. Air filters typically have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) that determines the type and size of contaminants against which the filter will act. A single person without pets will have to replace their air filters much less frequently than a household with children and multiple pets. The frequency at which you should change your AC filter depends on how often you use your home. For a little-used vacation home, you could get away with changing filters once a year.

However, for a typical suburban home, it's best to change filters at least every 90 days. But that time frame changes depending on additional circumstances such as location, pet ownership, age of system and equipment, outdoor air quality, etc.