How Long Does a Merv 8 Air Filter Last?

MERV 8 air filters are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability and ease of maintenance. Depending on the manufacturer, they can last anywhere from three to six months, and even up to a year in residential use. The climate in your location will also play a role in how often you need to replace the air filter. If you live in a mild climate and your air conditioner is only used for a few hours a day, the filter can last several months.

On the other hand, if you use your air conditioning system almost 24/7, you will need to replace the filter every two weeks. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may vary 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, it is recommended to change the filter every 60 days or 2 months.

For households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it is best to change the filter every 20-45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you need to change the air filter. FilterBuy's MERV 8 1, 2 and 4 air filters are designed to last approximately 3 months, while our MERV 8 whole-house replacement filters need to be changed every 6 months. If you have pets, children, or allergy sufferers in your space, it is best to change filters more often.

It is important to replace filters regularly because as they trap more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, their efficiency decreases. A general rule of thumb for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to replace the filter every 90 days. However, if your HVAC system is running almost constantly, it is best to change the filter every few weeks (especially if you use a cheaper fiberglass filter). Depending on your lifestyle and the type of oven filter you choose, you may want to change it more often. During a remodeling project, it is recommended to change the oven filter every 30 days or even more often to prevent construction-related dust from circulating around the home. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) rating of an air filter measures how effectively it prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and entering the air stream.

If you are still unsure of how often your air filter needs to be changed, you can perform a visual check to see if you have an old filter or a newer one. A higher rating not only means a higher percentage of bacteria trapped but also thicker folds that will require greater airflow from your HVAC. The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA, or high-energy particulate air filters. Replacing the filter in your air conditioning or heating system regularly keeps the system running efficiently and maintains the air quality in your home. You should have a clean filter; MERV 8 filters should be changed every 3-4 months; MERV 10% 26 11 filters every 6 months; and it's a good idea to change MERV 16 filters every year. Filters are designed to trap dust and particles in the air as air passes through them and enters the oven system.

It is important to know which type of air filter is ideal for your needs in order to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. To sum up, how often should I replace my MERV 8 filter? Our recommendation is that they should be changed every 90 days or 3 months; however, if you have pets, children or allergy sufferers in your space, we recommend changing them more often.