How Often to Change HVAC Filter: Factors to Consider

Regarding the air quality you breathe, nothing is more important to us at Inland Empire Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating, where we provide quality air conditioner repair in Riverside, CA. Though we cannot control the cleanliness of your outdoor air, we strive to give residents of Riverside County the best indoor air quality possible. 

Therefore, it's vital that, as valued customers or potential customers, you routinely inspect your HVAC system so you know just when to call us. One of the most critical components to be aware of is your air filter. 

Below is everything you need to know about filters and a recommendation for how often to change your HVAC filter.

All About Air Filters 

Air filters are a crucial part of your HVAC system found in your AC’s return air duct. These filters may take the form of an air vent in a bedroom or another area of your home.

Air filters function as blockades against contaminants such as dirt, dust, and bacteria. According to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers), filters help provide better air quality for residents of any home. Furthermore, they work to protect the internal components of your HVAC system.

How often you need to change your HVAC filter may alter depending on its material. Most are made with pleated paper, otherwise known as pleated air filters, and framed with cardboard for stability. 

MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) Rating 

The MERV of an air filter tells consumers the extent of its filtering power. In other words, it lets you know the type and size of pollutants that a specific filter is capable of blocking. The higher a cooling system's rating, the smaller the particles a filter can trap. 

Generally, a standard HVAC filter will have a MERV rating of 8-11 to capture larger dust, dirt, or hair particles. Filters for commercial and residential facilities typically rank 16 or below. However, areas requiring complete cleanliness, such as surgical operating rooms, will have air filters with a MERV ranking of 17-20. 

Though this high rating may seem desirable for your home, we do not recommend it. Implementing filters with MERV rankings higher than your HVAC manufacturer recommends may decrease or damage your system's efficiency.

How Often to Change Air Filters 

It's a good rule of thumb to check your air filter every month. However, replacing the filter will generally be necessary, at minimum, every three months. If your home has pets or you live in an area with poor air quality, it will change how often to change your HVAC filter — we recommend every two months. 

Additionally, if you own more than one pet, suffer from allergies, or are prone to respiratory conditions, it's best to change your HVAC filters every 20-50 days. Fiberglass filters are less efficient. Therefore, they will require frequent filter checks at an increment of every 30 days or less.

These numbers are not concrete as your filter may need changing sooner based on:

• Home size
• Outdoor air quality
• Number of pets
• Allergies
• Season 
• Occupancy

As circumstances change within your surroundings, it's essential to consider how that will affect your HVAC system. Keep these factors in mind when debating if it's time to replace your filter or not.

Dangers of Not Changing Air Filters

Not changing your HVAC filter may seem minor or not a big deal. But when you do not replace your filter promptly, it simply can't do its job, leading to dust, hair, and other contaminants making their way into your heating and cooling system. 

Dust will then jam the air handler, fan motors, valves, and more. Consequently, these particles will restrict airflow and significantly strain the entire system causing many issues.

Furthermore, much like when someone has a bad knee, and their body compensates by relying more on the good one, your AC system does the same. It will use even more energy to do the same job to push past the problem. Therefore, the energy efficiency of your HVAC system will decrease, and potential breakdowns or complete system failures may occur.

Contact Us to Change Your Filters 

If you feel it may be time to change your HVAC filter, have any questions, or want to learn more about Inland Empire Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating services in Riverside, CA, call us at (951) 336-1718. We dedicate our time to helping with all heating and cooling issues, whether recommending how often to change your HVAC filter or finding the best location for your thermostat.