Maintaining superior indoor air quality is essential, especially when children are present. To keep your home clean and air quality under control, it's important to replace the vacuum filter every 2 to 3 months. Make sure to use the correct size and type of air filter for your air conditioner. If your air conditioner is working properly, you can remove the filter and buy one that is identical to it.
If you have a “media filter”, you'll only need to change it every 6 to 8 months. These look like pleated filters, but they last longer. Different types of oven or air conditioner filters have different specifications for when they should be replaced. Fiberglass filters are cheaper; however, they will need to be replaced more often (usually every 30 days).Pleated air filters are more expensive than fiberglass filters and are made of higher quality materials.
These filters can last 3 to 6 months, depending on several factors. Generally, a fiberglass air filter should be replaced about once every 30 days or as recommended by the manufacturer. A pleated air filter should be replaced approximately once every three to six months. However, the frequency of air filter replacement depends on several important factors, such as your home, occupants, and location. If you notice that your heating and cooling bills are gradually increasing, it may be a sign that the efficiency of your system is starting to decline because the air filter needs to be replaced.
If the filter shows only a subtle layer of dirt below which the filter material is still visible, it means that the filter is working properly. For example, a family of four will need to change their air filters more often than a single-person home. When poor air quality circulates around air filters, it's more likely to cause a malfunction. Air filters are designed to allow air to flow freely through them and, at the same time, trap dust, dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants. Consider replacing a fiberglass air filter about once every 20 days and replacing a pleated air filter about once every 60 days if you have one or more pets. Another important home maintenance job that every homeowner should know about is changing the boiler's air filter.
If the owner has changed the air filter and is still noticing problems, it is advisable to call a professional to help fix the issue at its root. External factors such as excess pollen, nearby construction or home renovation can also shorten the lifespan of an air filter. This will put unwanted pressure on your climate system, leading to poor air quality and poor air circulation. The usual recommendations range from every 30 days for the cheapest fiberglass filters (which often don't work well) to 6 months for high-end pleated filters. If the filter remains unchanged, it can even shorten the life of the boiler or air conditioner, so it's important to include air filter replacement in your list of common household maintenance tasks.
By filtering these contaminants, the oven filter improves the quality of your home's air and makes breathing easier. In addition, not replacing the air filter accordingly can cause your energy bill to increase since clogged filters make your system work harder to circulate air. However, if it's impossible to replace the air filter for an extended period of time, spending more than 90 days won't cause irreparable damage to your air conditioning system.