How Often Do You Change Air Filter In House

how often to replace your home's air filter (photo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/gaobo/)

Y'all've probably heard that you need to change your home'southward air filters on a regular basis, merely do you know why, how, and how often? Read on to find out exactly why it's so important to alter your domicile'due south air filters, how they tin can proceed your air cleaner, how often yous should change them, and how you lot tin ensure the proper fit and installation.

Why You Need to Change Your Domicile'due south Air Filter

Changing your dwelling house'due south air filter is essential to efficient performance of your air conditioner. It'due south a function of routine maintenance, and forgetting to change your air filters tin can damage your HVAC equipment — and void your domicile warranty. A dirty air filter slows downwardly air menses and makes the operation of your air conditioner more difficult, wasting free energy and potentially causing serious issues for your system.

Air filters remove objects from your HVAC system to improve your dwelling house'due south air quality, keeping pollutants and droppings from circulating indoors. They remove leaner and particles from the HVAC organization, making your air fresh and helping you lot stay healthy at dwelling house.

An up to date air filter is also essential for a salubrious HVAC organisation. They will make your air conditioner run more efficiently and reduce your energy bills. It can also go along repair costs lower as unclogged filters will be easier on your system. Note that a clogged filter makes your HVAC organisation work harder, wearing downward the parts and costing you lot more than in energy bills.

When to Modify Your Domicile's Air Filter

When your air filters get dirty, you should alter them. It'south piece of cake plenty to pull them out and come across if they're full, but most people benefit from the reliability of putting their filter replacement on a schedule. Virtually manufacturers have a recommended schedule too, and this should exist followed to maintain your warranty.

The typical habitation air filter should be replaced every other month. Just your air filter replacement schedule should be adjusted to fit the needs of your home and HVAC arrangement.

Your air filters may demand to be inverse less or more frequently depending on a number of factors including HVAC use, allergies, overall air quality, pets, how many people live in your domicile, and construction. Pets in particular volition require you to change your air filter more oftentimes, as their hair and dander can quickly clog an air filter.

Unmarried occupant or vacation homes without pets tin typically await about iii months or more earlier changing air filters. Multiple occupants should change filters every 3 months or more than. With pets, every other month should be sufficient, unless you have multiple pets or allergies. In that instance, yous should alter air filters every month.

How to Retrieve to Change Your Air Filter

It's not e'er easy to remember to change your air filter or perform other maintenance tasks effectually your home. Nosotros recommend setting electronic alerts on your calendar. For example, Google Calendar allows you to create an upshot or task with a popular up or email reminder. Consider setting 1 for the first of the month that reminds you to cheque your air filter and exam the battery on your smoke detector.

Getting the Right Size Air Filter

To find the right size air filter for your dwelling, simply look at your old i. The number or size should be printed on the side of your existing air filter. If there is no printed information, measure the length and width of the space with a ruler or record measure to make sure y'all get thr right size. Replacement filters are available online, at hardware stores, and fifty-fifty some grocery stores.

How to Supervene upon Your Domicile's Air Filter

It's simple to remove and replace your dwelling'southward air filter. You'll need to locate your home'south air render vent, typically on the ceiling or wall. Sometimes, vents are located on the system. Y'all volition probably have two or three returns that have filters to change.

Once y'all've located the air return, open information technology, using a screwdriver if necessary. Pull out the onetime filter, and put the new i in its place. Look for arrows on the filter to be sure you're putting it in properly for the right airflow. With the air filter replaced, just close up the return again.