Here's How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace And Air Filters
Having an HVAC system is a great convenience, but just like any piece of technology, it needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Replacing your furnace and air filters is something that should be done semi-regularly, and not doing so can have a slew of negative consequences.
According to Iceberg Heating and Cooling, air and furnace filters can become clogged with dust, hair, fumes, and other particles, which leads to the system working overtime, higher bills, less efficiency, and your air quality decreasing — with nowhere to go, the dust will just circulate in your home. In the long run, components of your HVAC system will start to fail, which can lead to parts freezing over before the system completely fails altogether. Luckily, replacing these filters is quite easy, and only requires a little bit of effort, a screwdriver, and about 10 minutes every few months.
Replace two to four times a year
According to The Seattle Times, you should replace your air and furnace filters at least a few times a year, but this ultimately depends on your climate and home environment. For example, people who live in extreme climates where the HVAC system is constantly running should replace their filter roughly every other month. Similarly, people with pets that shed a lot should be checking their filter every couple of months to make sure it isn't clogged, and opt for a pet-hair-specific filter. Those in climates that experience all four seasons should replace their filters at least once in the hot months and twice in the cold months.
Replacing your air and furnace filters is incredibly easy and only requires a bit of time and a screwdriver. Begin by locating your air filter — it's usually low to the ground for easy access in a discreet but accessible area of the home. Then, remove the metal grate, which will be attached by a latch or screws (via Home Depot). Remove the old filter and throw it away, and clean out any dust in the vent. Add a new filter, which can be found at most grocery or home improvement stores. Reattach the grate and you're done.