It's important to regularly replace your air conditioning filter in your home to ensure the system is running efficiently and effectively. As an expert in HVAC systems, I recommend changing the filter every 30 days for maximum efficiency. However, if you don't have allergies, you can wait up to 90 days before replacing it. To determine how often you should change your filter, you should perform a visual inspection of the filter every month.
After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty. If the filter is completely covered with dust and dirt, it's a good idea to replace it even if it hasn't reached the end of its recommended lifespan. You should also re-evaluate the frequency of filter changes if you have a new pet or if the outside air quality has been poor. More cycles mean more passes through the filter and opportunities to trap contaminants, so filters tend to fill up faster during periods of heavy use.
As a general rule, lower home occupancy extends the life of an air cleaner, while higher home occupancy reduces it. During the mild spring and autumn, the air conditioning system will operate less frequently, so the filter won't get dirty as quickly. If there are no smokers or pets in your house, and your filter is the best-selling 1-inch filter with a MERV rating of 4, you should be able to wait up to 90 days before changing it. These general guidelines do not consider the sizes or types of filters, such as coarser filters or smaller filters.
It's easy for busy people to overlook this task, and some may find that it takes several months before they remember to replace their air conditioning filter. Whether it's oven filters, air filters, or any other part of the unit, be sure to take care of your HVAC system to extend its lifespan. As a general rule, it is recommended to change HVAC equipment (we are talking about filter filters, air filters, oven filters, etc.) And, if you buy an older system, plan to replace the filter more frequently to maintain filter quality.