How Often Should You Replace Your Fiberglass Filters?

Fiberglass air filters are a low-cost, disposable solution, but they must be changed every 30 days or less. Pleated air filters are also disposable, but they tend to be more efficient and can last longer. Lower quality fiberglass filters will need to be changed every 30 days, although I would not recommend these types of cheap filters. These filters are usually flat, thin, single-layer filters that need to be changed every 30 days.

Pleated air filters are made of heavier and higher quality materials than fiberglass filters. Depending on other factors, these filters can last between 3 and 6 months. If you have poor outdoor air quality or pets indoors, you'll need to change your air filter more often. One-inch HVAC filters are the most common filter size and should be changed periodically to keep your home's air quality at a high level.

If you have any questions, call a professional or air filter manufacturer to determine their lifespan. To get the best performance and optimal efficiency from your air conditioning system, replace filters every 30 to 45 days. Consider replacing air filters after a thorough home renovation to keep the air clean and reduce the chances of costly maintenance repairs later on. The fewer occupants there are in a home, the less pollutants and debris will build up in your air filters.

Numerous contaminants and debris, including excess dust, can cause air filters to become clogged and reduce air circulation throughout the home. If you have a home with a pet losing hair, numerous occupants, or even a carpet on hard wood, you may need to change your HVAC filter more frequently. The ideal is to change your air filter every three months; however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to replace an old filter. You can also evaluate your personal allergic symptoms with the dirt on the filter by visual inspection. After a renovation, such as a drywall project, pieces of drywall, dirt and dust may build up in the air ducts, restricting air flow through the air filters.

All oven filters have an arrow printed along the frame that indicates the way the air should flow. The most important part of changing an HVAC filter is making sure that the arrow goes in the right direction.