Furnace Maintenance: How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?
How often should you change your air filter on your furnace? This is a tricky question because it depends on many different factors.
While the answer may change from home to home the general rule of thumb is to change your air filter every ninety days.
This, of course, is a generalization. It is vital to understand how your home functions and what your home needs are. That rule of thumb may not be the best option depending on many factors. This depends on how many people live in the home, how many pets you have are there any allergies in the family etc.
Read on to learn the answer to the question, how often should you change your air filter on your furnace?
How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?
There is no one universal answer on how often one should change your air filter. Every home differs in its features and makeup. Below are some guidelines on the frequency of air filter change in your home.
Of course, the best advice is, if in doubt call a furnace repair company!
Your Home Air Quality
Air pollutants and ventilation within and outside the home change from home to home. The replacement of the air filter depends on the density of these pollutants and the amount of ventilation in the home. It is safe to say, if you have good ventilation, your air filter can be changed every two months.
Anyone With Asthma or Allergies
A person is more sensitive to dust or any other airborne particles when they suffer from asthma or allergies. If you have such a person living in your home, you should change your filter every six weeks.
How Many Pets Do You Have
Furry animals shed their fur at least twice a year. This fur can clog up filters so you must change your air filter every 2 months. But, the more animals the shorter the lifespan of your air filter.
How Many Smokers in the Household
Again the number of smokers in your home will influence the time between air filter changes. If you have one smoker you can change every two months. If you have many smokers you should change air filters at least once a month.
How Much Do You Use Your Furnace
How often you use your furnace will affect the frequency of filter replacement. If your furnace is constantly in use you will need to change the air filter at least once a month. Even if you do not use your furnace, the air filter should be changed every three months.
How Dusty is Your House
Dust particles adhere to the air filter. Thus, if your home is prone to dust, you will need to change the air filter at least once a month.
Light it Up
Regardless of which furnace system you have, every unit uses an air filter.
Air filter changing is dependent on many factors that differ from home to home. Thus, the question of how often should you change your air filter does not have one answer. Seek professional advice if you have any doubts about when to change the air filter in your furnace.