As a homeowner, what matters to you the most? Let us guess the living environment of your home. After all, it critically impacts your and your family’s health. All of that safe environment is held by a taut string, one which is the detrimental factor; it’s your home air filter. However, what’s more essential than the air filter? The frequency of changing them. Many homeowners are bewildered by the question, ” how often should you change an air filter?” We are here to shed this cloud of uncertainty and tell you what you will sign up for if you don’t change air filters regularly.
What Happens If You Don’t Change Air Filters Regularly?
The air filter is your home’s first-line defense, a barrier between the outdoor and indoor environment. It traps dust, pollen, bacteria, and mold in its tightly woven mesh. Thus, keeping the indoor air clean.
However, there is one problem, everything the filter captures stays entangled in its frame. Eventually, the mess accumulates and soils the filter rendering it ineffective. Not only do you have to deal with dwindling filter efficiency, but also restricted airflow. This will put a strain on your HVAC system’s motor. On top of that, you will be stripped of the clean air luxury as more and more pollutants enter the air.
A soiled and dirty filter is the breeding ground for bacteria and molds, so you not only have to worry about air pollutants but also about these microorganisms. As a result, to ensure the betterment of your family and the functionality of your HVAC, it’s best to replace air filters regularly.
How Often Should You Replace Your Home’s Air Filter?
Let’s see; the general consensus is to replace the air filter every three months or 90 days. However, this number is not absolute but relative and can depend on a few factors, which may give you some leverage or make you hustle more.
Type Of Air Filter: When considering the replacement frequency, you should consider the filter installed in your home. A filter good at filtering or with more folds will trap more particles and spoil faster. On the other hand, filters with fewer folds, like non-pleated filters, or ineffective filtering, like fiberglass filters, will last longer. Nonetheless, most homes have pleated air filters in their home. Therefore, there isn’t much to discuss here; let’s move forward.
MERV Rating: MERV rating is a measure of your filter’s efficiency. You will need to replace filters with a higher rating frequently. MERV 7-8 is common in many households. However, if you have upgraded to filters with a higher MERV rating, you will, unfortunately, need to hustle more for frequent replacements.
Environment: If the outdoor air is clean, your filter’s life is easier and will last longer. Nonetheless, if you live in dusty surroundings or spring is at its peak, your filter will have to deal with a barrage of allergens, pollens, and dust. Similarly, having a pet in the house will lead to an additional buildup of pet dander that your filter has to trap. This will lead to faster deterioration requiring frequent air filter changes.
Looking to buy new filters? Feel free to browse from the Clean Liquid System’s vast catalog. You can ring us at to learn more about our services.