In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. A general rule for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to replace the filter every 90 days. As the filter traps more dirt, dust, and allergens from the air, the efficiency of the filter decreases. The ideal is to change the air filter every three months; however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to change an old filter.
Furnaces and air conditioners in smaller homes need to pump less air to achieve the same temperature change, which may result in less frequent filter changes. However, if it's impossible to replace the air filter for an extended period, spending more than 90 days won't cause irreparable damage to your air conditioning system. When you change the air filter, you allow more air to flow through the system with lower energy consumption, resulting in better circulation, cleaner air, and a lower electricity bill. It is essential to have a clean filter to prevent dust from passing through the air conditioning system, as it can accumulate in the indoor coils of the air conditioner and reduce the efficiency of the unit. And if you buy an older system, plan to replace the filter more often to maintain filter quality.
Air filters trap pet hair, dust, and other irritating particles so that the air conditioning system returns fresh, clean air to the house. The short answer is that, according to most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies, you should change it every 30 days if you use less expensive fiberglass filters. And when this poor air quality circulates around air filters, it's more likely to cause a malfunction. The air will no longer be able to be properly filtered and dust and other airborne contaminants will enter the system. However, it will put unwanted pressure on your climate system, leading to poor air quality and poor air circulation. Yes, changing the filter has several effects on the ability of the air conditioning system to cool the house and on overall air quality.
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. If there is a visible layer of dirt that covers most of the surface of the filter and is thick enough to hide the filter material itself, it is a sign that the filter has been in the air conditioning system for too long. The filters are designed to trap dust and particulates suspended in the air as the air passes through the filter and into the furnace system. As a general rule, it is recommended that heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment (including traps with filters, air filters, heating filters etc.) be changed regularly. For example, in smaller homes less air needs to be pumped through an oven or an AC system in order for it to achieve a temperature change compared with larger homes which require more airflow. It's important for homeowners to understand how often they should replace their 20x25x1 air filters in order for their HVAC systems to run efficiently.
Most manufacturers recommend changing these filters every 90 days or 3 months. This ensures that your home's indoor environment remains clean and free from dust particles while also helping your AC unit run at its peak performance level.