How Often Should You Replace the Air Filter in Your Furnace?

A good rule of thumb is to change 1- to 2-inch filters every three months, 4-inch filters every six months, and 5-inch filters every 12 months. Certainly, if you can't see the filter material itself, it needs to be replaced. In most cases, you should replace the filter at least every three months, even in summer. If you can't seem to remember to do it, a good rule of thumb is to change the oven filter every time the seasons change. Please note that this is a general recommendation.

There are some factors that can shorten or extend the time between oven filter replacement intervals. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. That may change depending on the location of your home (e.g. dry and dusty climates), if you have pets and the age of your system and equipment.

If you have pets in the house, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can usually wait to change filters every 9-12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. The only way to ensure how often you need to change your air filter is to perform a visual inspection of the filter every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty.

You will need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor. I checked the filter and found that it was covered with dust, so I replaced it with a new filter and the indoor air is much fresher now. However, the smaller the appliance used for cooling, the small space usually comes with smaller filters, so you may need to change the filter as often as a filter in a larger home. As a general rule, you'll want to replace your home's pleated air filters and heating filters every 90 days. A Honeywell oven filter will have the same filter replacement recommendations as standard filters. We also offer 5-inch oven filters (16x25x5 or 20x25x), whole-house air filter brands, and filters for rigid cell ovens. The longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust and allergens are trapped, clogging the filter and decreasing its efficiency.

If you have small children at home, it's a good idea to use high-quality pleated air filters and change them every two months. According to the Department of Energy, routine replacement of air filters can reduce air conditioner energy consumption by 5 to 15%. This will result in improper filtration and contaminants entering the air in your home. One of the most important things you can do on your own to take good care of your HVAC system is to simply change your air filter on a regular basis. The HVAC air filter helps keep indoor air clean by trapping mold particles, pollen, and other contaminants moving through the system.

If you don't change your air filter regularly, you don't allow it to fulfill its intended purpose of purifying the air in your home. The oven is part of your HVAC air filtration system, responsible for taking in the cold air and heating it before it is blown through the rest of the house through the air handler. Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the manufacturer of your oven or air conditioner may impair its performance. Even if you live in a temperate climate with excellent air quality, there is another important reason to change your oven filter as recommended.Conclusion: It's important to remember that changing your furnace's air filter regularly is essential for keeping your HVAC system running efficiently and effectively. A good rule of thumb is to change, 1-2 inch filters every three months; 4 inch filters every six months; and 5 inch filters every 12 months.

However, depending on factors such as location, pets in your home, age of system/equipment and outdoor air quality; these intervals may vary from 20-45 days for households with multiple pets or people with allergies/respiratory conditions; 60 days for households with pets; 90 days for standard households; 9-12 months for vacation homes/vacant homes; and 16x25x5 or 20x25x5 for whole house filters/rigid cell ovens.Remember:

  • , routine replacement of air filters can reduce energy consumption by 5-15%, while also keeping indoor air clean by trapping mold particles, pollen and other contaminants.
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Hannah Sawatzki
Hannah Sawatzki

Hipster-friendly pop culture maven. Hipster-friendly web practitioner. Infuriatingly humble bacon nerd. General social media fan. Hipster-friendly beer enthusiast.