One of the best things you can do to maintain the pristine condition of your HVAC system and the air quality of your home is to clean or change the air filter periodically. Doing so will help keep everything running smoothly and reduce your energy expenditures. However, it is a work that many homeowners overlook, resulting in increased energy costs and potential maintenance difficulties. How often you should change your air filter is determined by various factors. Here we've enlisted a few general guidelines and tips to assist you in choosing the ideal time for your HVAC system. Also, get your AC’s periodic inspection from the best HVAC company in Sacramento to ensure the optimal working of your system. 

How Often To Change Your Home Air Filter

When utilizing less costly fiberglass filters, you should change the air filter in your house every 30 days. On the contrary, high-end pleated filters can last up to 6 months. However, these standard guidelines assume regular use and ignore filter size and type. As a general guideline, you should replace your home's pleated air filters and furnace filters every 90 days. If the filters remain uncleaned for a longer time, they accumulate dirt, dust, and allergens, clogging the filter and reducing its efficacy. 

Consider the following factors to determine how often you should update your filter. 

    • Allergies or Asthma

"Indoor air quality is equally as essential as outside air quality," according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA). While pollution in the air may be dangerous, interior air quality can be worse than that. If you have an asthmatic or allergy sufferer in your house, they are significantly more susceptible to airborne particles than others. If it's the case in your house, consider replacing your filter every six weeks to maintain the finest indoor air quality.

    • Are You a Pet Owner?

If you own a cat or a dog, you know that odor may accumulate over time and that shedding is at its peak with the changing seasons. As a pet owner, you should change your air filter every two months, especially when winter and summer transition to spring and fall.

    • Kids in the House

When you have small children, it becomes your foremost priority to keep indoor air quality as high as possible. To keep your air quality balanced and your home clean, replace the filter every 2-3 months. Furthermore, you should get periodic air conditioner service in Sacramento to keep your home clean and fresh.

Things That Influence The Longevity Of Your HVAC Air Filter

    • The Frequency Of Using Heating And Cooling System

Using your air conditioner or furnace for a few hours each day may last you a season or perhaps a whole year. On the contrary, if you use your HVAC system periodically, you may need to replace it every few weeks, especially if you have fiberglass filters. 

    • Your House Size

If you live in a smaller house, your air conditioners and furnaces may need to pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, which may necessitate fewer filter replacements. However, since smaller appliances meant to cool tiny spaces sometimes have smaller filters, you may need to change the filter more frequently than in a larger property. 

    • Home’s Air Quality

The air outside and inside your house determines the replacement cycle of your air and furnace filter. If you have poor outdoor air quality or pets inside, you'll need to replace your air filter more regularly.