For Merv 8, 11 and 13 filters, it is recommended to change the filter at least every 3 months for optimal filtration and healthier air in your home. However, if your air filter is made of fiberglass filters, experts suggest changing it every 30 days. Pleated filters can last up to three or six months before needing to be replaced. The Merv rating of the filter determines how often it should be changed.
A MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, measures the effectiveness of filtration. The higher the MERV ratings, the more effective the filter will be at not allowing particles in the air to pass through it. We offer MERV 8, 10, 11 and 16 filters for sale in our office and can also place special orders for unique sizes. Generally, MERV 8 filters should be changed every 3-4 months, MERV 10% 26 11 filters every 6 months and MERV 16 filters every year.
However, this may vary depending on the location of your home (e.g. 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, 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 20-45 days.
Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, the efficiency of the filter decreases. To keep allergy sufferers as comfortable as possible, change the oven filter every 30 to 60 days. Even if no one in the house is allergic, it is advisable to change the oven filter frequently, as often as every 30 days if you have several pets, to keep the oven running efficiently. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered HVAC system grade filters for residential, commercial, and general hospital use. Cats and dogs lose and have odors that can accumulate in their space, so it is necessary to change the filter every 2 months.
Furnaces and air conditioners in smaller homes need to pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, which can mean less frequent filter changes. No two houses are the same, so despite guidelines, you may need to change your boiler filter more often than your neighbor. A flat filter should be changed every 30 days while pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) should be replaced every 90 days. When you change the air filter, it allows more air to flow through the system with lower energy consumption, resulting in better circulation, cleaner air and a lower electricity bill. It's a general recommendation to change your home's air filter every 30 days when using less expensive fiberglass filters. As mentioned above, the presence of pets, young children, and people with allergies will require you to change the air filter more often.
