How Long Do Ac Filters Last?

Periodically replacing your AC filter ensures the efficient working of your HVAC system while keeping costs low. Yet, most homeowners usually overlook their filters for months, increasing energy costs and leading to higher maintenance. When …

Periodically replacing your AC filter ensures the efficient working of your HVAC system while keeping costs low. Yet, most homeowners usually overlook their filters for months, increasing energy costs and leading to higher maintenance. When replacing the furnaces, you might wonder how often you should change your AC filters. Well, it depends on the type of filter and environmental factors specific to your household. Filters must typically be replaced every 1-3 months. Replace them every 6-12 months if they are thicker and high-efficient. Continue reading the post to discern the optimum time to replace your air filter!

Filter Guidelines

Since most filters feature guidelines demonstrating how long they should last and when they need to be replaced, verify the details on the package while purchasing new filters. While air filters generally necessitate replacing once every three months, replace it instantly if it’s filthy, as delaying may trigger future expenses, requiring calling the HVAC company Sacramento professional to inspect the issue. You might not know, but uncleaned or clogged air filters impede fresh and healthy airflow, damage your AC’s components and reduce your system’s effectiveness. Consider the following recommendations while changing your filters:

If anyone in your family has asthma or is allergic to dust, they are more vulnerable to airborne particles. In such instances, replace your filters every six weeks to retain optimal indoor air quality.
Pets have odors that may accumulate in your home, necessitating the filter’s replacement every two months. Spring and summer are the two seasons critical to update your filter since that is when pets sweat the most.
Filter replacement is imperative every 2-3 months if you have kids, ensuring home cleanliness and adequate air quality.

Factors Influencing Your Ac’s Filter Longevity!

How Often Do You Use Your Hvac System:

A single filter can last for a year if your house’s location is in a moderate area and you utilize your HVAC system for a limited time in a day. However, consistent usage of the HVAC system may require a filter to be replaced every few weeks.

Your Home’s Size:

While furnaces and ACs in smaller houses require pumping less air, necessitating lesser replacements, they may require equal replacements as a filter installed in a bigger home.

Air Quality in Your House:

Since the filter’s replacement cycle is influenced significantly by the inside and outside air, unhealthy air quality may require frequent air filter replacement.

Problems Caused by Uncleaned Filters

  • Filthy air quality may decrease your house’s indoor air quality, making it ineffective in catching and removing contaminants like smoking, mold, pollen, dust mites, and fumes. A high MERV rating implies filtering out more contaminates in your indoor air.
  • Uncleaned filters block your house’s ducting with dirt and debris, allowing the mold to develop and circulate throughout your home thru the ducts.
  • A clogged filter does not prevent debris from accumulating in your condensate drain, disrupting the appropriate water draining and causing extensive damage to your system. If the condensate drain can’t remove moisture, you’ll detect excessive humidity in your house.