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Changing furnance and return air filters is critical to the proper performance of your HVAC system, not to mention your home's air quality. Studies show that indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. We know it's the last thing on your mind, but this is really important stuff. Changing the air filters is not all that hard, but the challenge is knowing when to change your filters.
This is not a trick; simply put-when your air filters are dirty, change them. Choosing how often to change your air filters can depend on several factors:
- Type of filter your hvac system requires
- Pets - birds, cats, dogs, hamsters
- Number of occupants in the house
- General air pollution and/or construction taking place nearby
For your typical 1"-3" air filters, the manufacturer specs basically say to change them bi-monthly, which is in fact a great rule of thumb. However, general guidelines are not applicable to all. If you have to tolerate light to moderate allergies, you may need to upgrade the air filter or change them even more regularly. Why do pets matter so much? They have a tendency to shed, which can clog your air filter fast. Clearly, the air filter is just doing its job by capturing pet hair and dander, but tremendously dirty filters can cause weak HVAC performance and increased power bills.
Lisa
