In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This can vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets at home, it is advisable to change the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and in the case of homes with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it is recommended to change the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or empty houses that don't get much use usually 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. In most cases, you should replace the filter at least every three months, even in summer. If you don't remember to do so, a good rule of thumb is to change the boiler filter every time the seasons change. However, experts suggest changing it once every 30 days if the air filter is made of fiberglass filters, which are of relatively poor quality.
On the other hand, expensive pleated filters can work well if replaced once every three to six months. The only way to be sure how often your air filter should be changed is to visually inspect the filter every month. After a few months, you'll get an idea of how quickly it gets dirty. You'll need to re-evaluate if you have a new pet or if the outdoor air quality has been poor.
Even if no one in the house is allergic, it is advisable to change the boiler filter frequently, up to every 30 days if you have several pets, so that the boiler continues to work efficiently. As a general rule, to make allergy sufferers feel as comfortable as possible, change the oven filter every 30 to 60 days. Clogged filters not only have a negative impact on a home's air quality, but they also force the oven to work harder to get air into the system and thus shorten its lifespan. The Minimum Efficiency Value (MERV) rating of an air filter measures how effectively it prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and reaching the air stream.
If the filter is dirty, the boiler will not be able to circulate clean air throughout the house, which could put your health at risk. Thanks to their folds, filters such as Honeywell Ultra Efficiency (also available on Amazon) have more square inches of space to trap dust, so they usually require fewer changes - usually every 90 days. If you continue using your oven when the filter is dirty, dust, hair, mold and other debris may accumulate inside the heating and cooling system. In short, the oven filter traps dirt, dust, allergens and other contaminants so that they don't enter the heating and cooling system (and you don't inhale them).
Filters are assigned a minimum efficiency value (MERV), which ranges from 1 to 16 - although scores of 6 to 12 are best for residential ovens. The only types of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA (high-energy particulate air) filters. Replacing your boiler filter regularly is an easy way to maintain good air quality in your home, keep your boiler in good condition and even save on energy costs. Filters with higher MERV indices trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV indices.
