How Often Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner Filter? A Guide for Homeowners

As an expert in SEO, I can tell you that it's important to check your air filter once a month to see how dirty it is. That's the only way to know if you really need to change the filter. And if you or a family member has a history of allergies or asthma, plan to change your filter once a month, following recommendations from medical associations, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. A general rule of thumb for pleated air filters (such as those made by FilterBuy) is to change them every 90 days.

As the filter traps more dirt, dust, and allergens from the air, its efficiency decreases. If your dirty air filter is completely covered with dust and dirt, it's a good idea to replace it even if it hasn't reached the end of its recommended lifespan. For starters, a dirty air filter can't capture airborne particles, such as pollen or dust mite allergens, which means that more particles are recirculated so that you can inhale them. If you have allergies or asthma, you'll want to change the filter every 6 weeks to maintain the best indoor air quality.

If you have a pet, you'll want to change the air filter every 2 months, especially when winter turns to spring and summer to fall. All the air that circulates through the air conditioning system, whether to heat or cool the house, will eventually go through the air filter. Replacing the air filters in your air conditioning system is an essential practice to ensure that clean air circulates throughout your home. If you live in a “smaller” house, your air conditioners and ovens need to pump less air with the same temperature change, which could mean fewer filter changes.

However, many homeowners are unaware of how often air filters need to be changed, making their system vulnerable to damage. Air filters usually have a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) that determines the type and size of the contaminants the filter will work against. When you remove the air filter from the air purifier, if you bring it closer to a light source, you can see if the filter is dirty or clogged. If you can't see the light through the filter, it's time to change it.

To keep air quality under control and your home clean, you'll need to change the filter at least 2 to 3 months apart. Ideally, you should change your air filter every three months; however, there are certain factors you should consider when determining when to change an old filter.

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