One of the most important parts of your HVAC system concerning indoor air quality is its air filter. As a homeowner, keeping up with regular filter changes is crucial to keep your system in tip-top condition. Below, we will dive into the importance of an HVAC filter and how often you need to replace it.

What Does an HVAC Air Filter Do?

The filter inside of your HVAC system is responsible for filtering out unwanted airborne particles. It’s positioned inside your return ducting right before the air enters the internal components of your heating or cooling system and traps airborne particles. This prevents debris from getting inside your system and promotes cleaner indoor air.

How Does Your Filter Affect HVAC Performance?

It’s important to realize that your HVAC filter can significantly impact the overall operating performance and longevity of your heating or cooling system. If the filter is not the right size or is clogged, it can let particulates into the system. This dirt and grime can then coat the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, which compromises the system’s ability to transfer heat.

Additionally, when the moving parts get dirty, it increases friction. This causes undue wear on the parts, causing them to wear out faster and significantly reducing their lifespan. It also decreases the system’s efficiency, which can result in higher utility bills.

When the filter is clogged, it reduces airflow through the system. This reduces the effectiveness of your heating or cooling system and requires it to run much longer to get your home to an adequate temperature. This will also result in an increase in your utility bills throughout the year.

How Often Should You Replace Your HVAC Filter?

The overall lifespan of your HVAC filter will vary depending on your household. In general, most homeowners find that they need to replace their air filters every two to three months. It’s typically best to check your filter every month to see if it needs to be replaced. Checking your air filter is fairly simple to do.

When your HVAC system is off, you want to pull out the air filter from the return vent and hold it up to a light. If it looks grey or dingy, it’s time to replace it. Other signs include dusty vents and noticeably poorer air quality. It’s always a good idea to have a spare filter on hand so you can do a replacement whenever necessary.

What Factors Influence Air Filter Lifespan?

Many different factors can influence the overall lifespan of your air filter. One of the most obvious is the amount of runtime of your heating or cooling system. The more often your system runs, the more airborne particles it will trap.

If you have pets in your home, your filter will likely have a shorter lifespan than a home without pets. Some other factors that can influence the lifespan of your filter include your cleaning habits, the frequency of guests coming over, and the season of the year.

What Size Replacement Filter Do You Need?

The size of air filters will vary depending on the specific needs of your HVAC system. All filters are measured in three dimensions. The filter sizing is given in the order of length by width by thickness.

You can get the appropriate filter size by looking at a couple of different places. The most obvious is to look at the existing filter in your HVAC system. It should have a sizing number on its side. If the size on the filter is illegible, you can consult your owner’s manual to determine what it recommends for filter sizing. If neither option is readily available, sometimes the filter sizing is listed on the filter housing lid in your ductwork.

It’s absolutely imperative that you replace your old filter with one of the exact same size. If the filter is larger, it simply won’t fit in the filter housing. If the filter is smaller, all the air will travel around it in your ducting and never be filtered.

MERV Ratings

It’s crucial to realize that HVAC filters are given a specific rating on the MERV scale. This scale runs from 1 to 20, with higher numbers meaning a higher filtering capability. It’s generally recommended to purchase a filter between 1 and 13 for residential HVAC systems. Anything higher than 13 is designed to be used in industrial equipment that is more powerful. Installing this type of filter in a residential system will put a large strain on the system’s components and lead to inefficient operation. It could also damage the system and lead to a significantly shorter lifespan.

Most HVAC companies recommend putting in a filter between five and nine for the average household. If you or anyone else in your home suffers from a respiratory condition, asthma, or severe allergies, you may find it beneficial to invest in a filter with a rating between 10 and 13. This will allow it to remove a large amount of airborne pollutants that could be irritating your condition. It’s important to note that the higher the filter’s rating, the more expensive it will be.

A MERV 13 filter can also filter out most smoke particles. This is especially important in areas prone to wildfire. It can catch some, but not all, viruses and bacteria. It won’t be able to catch many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or odors. If members of your household have immune system disorders or significant respiratory issues, you may want to take the extra step and invest in a whole home fan or air purification system.

Types of HVAC Air Filters

There are three main types of filters that you can purchase for your HVAC system: fiberglass, pleated, and washable. Fiberglass filters will be the cheapest on the market and usually have a rating of between 1 and 5. They’re great for catching large particles that may end up in your air. However, fiberglass filters will miss filtering out smaller particles like many smaller allergens and fine dust.

If you or another member of your household suffers from allergies or a respiratory condition, a fiberglass filter likely isn’t the best option for you. Instead, you’ll likely want to invest in a pleated filter. These filters are great for catching smaller particles like fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. Pleated filters can be a great option for homeowners looking for an affordable yet effective filtering option.

Expert HVAC Maintenance Service

Loves Air has offered expert HVAC service for the Modesto, CA region since 2009. We can install and repair your heating and air conditioning systems. For maintenance, you can take advantage of our annual service plans to save money and hassle. Our HVAC services also include installing smart thermostats, whole house fans, and ductwork sealing. We also install solar power systems, windows, and traditional or tankless water heaters. Call us today to book your next service consultation.

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