Fortunately, most 20x25x4 air filters have a lifespan of between six and eight months. This means that the average homeowner won't need more than two of these filters in a year. On the other hand, a one-inch air filter should be changed every two to three months. Generally, air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months.
This timeframe can 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 at home, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months. For homes with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or empty houses that aren't used much can wait to change the filters every 9 to 12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you'll need to change the air filter.
Air filters usually have a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) that determines the type and size of the contaminants the filter will work against. When it comes time to buy new air filters for your air conditioning system, there are a few things to consider. If there are no smokers or pets in your home and your filter is the best-selling filter with a MERV rating of 4, you should be able to wait up to 90 days before changing it. Clogged filters not only negatively affect a home's air quality, but they also force the oven to work harder to get air into the system, which can shorten its lifespan. However, some air conditioning systems have filters inside the return air ducts scattered throughout several rooms in the house.
While a filter with a higher MERV rating should last longer, it can also restrict airflow in your home. These air filters act as barriers to prevent contaminants from entering the air conditioning system or circulating through the air. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters that are designed to filter small particles of bacteria, mold, and fungi, but the standard MERV 8-11 filters only block the largest dust particles and 26% of the hair. If furniture gets dirty soon after cleaning the house, the oven filter may be clogged and can no longer effectively remove dust from the air. Although it's a good rule of thumb, you'll need to check your air filter more often to see if it needs to be changed.
If you want a dog or cat that is hypoallergenic or that doesn't lose hair, you may not have to replace the air filter as much. You will no longer be able to filter the air properly, allowing dust and contaminants to enter the air conditioning system. Maintaining new filters in the boiler will help ensure that the boiler operates smoothly and efficiently and, most importantly, that the air you and your family breathe is as clean as possible.
