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How Often Should I Replace My Furnace or Air Conditioner Filter?
To keep your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible, all while protecting the indoor air quality in your home, you need to change your furnace and return air filters on a regular basis. How often depends on several different factors, so the answer will vary depending on how you use your furnace.
How an Air Filter Works
The filter in your furnace and air conditioning unit is designed to collect pet dander, pollen, dust and other particles. Over time, those particles clog the filter, making it difficult for air to pass through. The HVAC system then has to work harder, which increases your energy bills.
Yet efficiency is not the only problem associated with clogged filters. Eventually, if air flow gets too stopped up, some rooms won’t get any air at all. Also, the hard-working blower motor can overheat and burn out, which leads to costly repair or replacement bills. A furnace filter costs just a little bit in comparison to replacing the blower motor, so it’s a task worth attending to.
Factors Affecting Furnace Filter Longevity
Several factors affect how long a furnace filter will last. First is the type of air filter you are using. Higher quality filters, in general, will last longer. Yet you also have to factor in the air quality of your home. If you have an older home that is very dusty, you’re going to need to change the filter more often.
Pets are another huge factor. Pet hair and dander impact the quality of the air in your home and will clog a filter very quickly. Also, every person in your home will affect your air quality, so the more people you have in the home, the more frequently you will need to change it. Finally, air pollution and even construction around your home can cause the furnace filter to get full faster.
A General Rule of Thumb
Furnace filters in most Denver homes should be replaced every 60 to 90 days, regardless of the air quality and occupancy. If you have other factors, like pets, that would shorten the life of the filter, change that to 30 to 60 days.
Remember, your furnace or air conditioner filter is a relatively cheap part of your overall HVAC system. By changing it consistently and at the right times, you can preserve your HVAC system and ensure it is working as efficiently as possible.
