A very simple yet extremely important part of maintaining your home’s HVAC system is making sure you’re regularly changing your filters. This will help you to ensure ongoing efficiency in the operation of the system, keep the air quality in your home at impeccably clean levels and prevent you from having higher energy bills than necessary.
But how frequently do you need to change your air conditioning filter in Visalia, CA? Here’s what you should consider.
Filter change recommendations
The general recommendation offered by industry experts is that most people should expect to change their air filters every 30 days if using low-end filters, and every six months if using high-end pleated filters. Keep in mind, these guidelines are for average usage levels. Your results may vary depending on issues such as the size and type of the filter and other potential contaminants in your home.
Pleated air filters and furnace filters will provide better results if you change them more frequently than the above recommendation—every 90 days or so. The longer a filter stays in place, the more debris will build up inside of it and the less efficient your system will become. Consider also the following issues:
- Respiratory conditions: If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma or any other respiratory conditions, you’re going to want to replace the filters more frequently, because these people are going to be more susceptible and sensitive to airborne particulates than people who do not have these same issues. If you know someone in your home deals with serious respiratory conditions, you should aim to change the filter every six weeks or so, which will help you get the best possible air quality.
- Pets: If you have pets in your home, the fur they shed and the dander they spread will build up quickly, especially if you know your pet is a big shedder. You should aim to change your air filters every two months if you’re a pet owner, and it’s especially important to do so at the changing of the seasons, when shedding tends to be at its peak.
- Children: If you have young children in your home, it becomes more important for you to maintain a high level of indoor air quality. Newborns and infants do not have fully developed respiratory systems, and thus it’s important for you to protect them from airborne dust, debris and contaminants. Changing your filter every two to three months is a good standard if you have very young children.
Make sure to change your filter at least three to four times a year, ideally at the changing of each season, unless certain factors are present that make it beneficial for you to make the changes more frequently. For more information about changing your HVAC filters and what you should know about other steps in HVAC preventative maintenance in Visalia, CA, we encourage you to contact McGee Refrigeration today. We’d be glad to answer any questions and address any concerns you have regarding your HVAC system