The air in your home is an important factor in your overall health and comfort. To ensure that the air in your home is clean and free of dust, pet hair, and other allergens, it is important to regularly change your air filter. The more dust that is trapped in the air filter, the less there will be in your home. Changing the air filter regularly can help reduce dust and hair on floors, shelves, etc.
In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This 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 your home, 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. Usually, vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect 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. Getting rid of the contaminated air filter can cause cleaner air to be dispersed throughout the home. This makes your home much more comfortable and will prevent any allergies caused by dust particles. As dirt and debris build up in the air conditioner, the unit has to work harder to keep the house cool. The openings become clogged, making it difficult for air to enter.
The air conditioner then works harder to maintain comfortable temperatures and can cause your energy bill to rise. Basically, the air conditioner is “spinning its wheels and wasting energy” when an old filter is not replaced. Not only do they filter out bits of pollen and dust that would otherwise circulate around the house, reducing indoor air quality, but failure to clean and replace the air filter on a regular basis is essentially a problem for the environment. While these factors affect the frequency of air filter replacement, you should visually inspect the filter every month for excessive particulate buildup. A healthy air conditioner can last 15 to 20 years; however, if the filter is not changed regularly, that time can be shortened. Air filters are generally inexpensive and changing the air filter is a simple task that does not require a professional hand. Air filters are usually made of spun fiberglass (the same as attic insulation) or & pleated paper framed with cardboard for added stability and rigidity.
The problem with these filters is that they are only capable of filtering larger dust particles and are therefore useless when it comes to truly improving air quality. Air filters are inexpensive and easy to install yourself and are available at most home improvement stores. The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA, or high-energy particulate air filters. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. Homeowners in Dallas, TX are repeatedly encouraged to change their air filters in their homes but many don't regularly. As air moves through a building's HVAC system, air filters trap and pick up large and small particles such as dust, allergens and microorganisms.
Air filters trap pet hair, dust, and other irritating particles so that the air conditioning system returns fresh, clean air to your home. If the air cleaner is clean, the system will continue to function properly and you will have to spend less money on general system repairs.
