The general guidelines for how often an air filter should be changed in an apartment are the same as for a single-family house or a terraced house. Most air filters last from 1 to 3 months, but this range is wide because there are many factors that influence the life of an air filter. Generally, manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may vary depending on the location of your home (for example, dry and dusty climates), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
If you have pets in the household, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20-45 days. Vacation homes or empty homes that don't see much use can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months. The more you use your home, the more often you need to change the air filter. Generally speaking, most air filter manufacturers recommend changing a basic air filter once every 30 to 60 days.
Here's a more detailed breakdown to help you determine what works best for your specific home: Air filters come in all shapes and sizes. The most common air filter size is disposable pleated filters of 1 thickness. These should be changed anywhere from monthly to every 3 months. Media air filters are thicker, from 4 to 5 inches, and have been a preferred choice for Zimmerman installations for years.
These provide cleaner air by filtering more smaller particles without restricting airflow. Under normal circumstances, media air filters can last 6 to 12 months until they need to be replaced. By removing the air filter from the air conditioner and holding it next to a light source, you can see if the filter is dirty or clogged; if you can't see the light through the filter, it's definitely time to change it. If there is no smoker or pets in your home, and your filter is the commonly sold filter with a MERV rating of 4, you should be able to wait up to 90 days before changing it.
Therefore, filters should be replaced regularly to ensure that the air circulation is at peak performance. Homeowners who have someone living in their home with allergies should replace their air filter about once every six weeks or so. These air filters act as barriers to prevent contaminants from entering the HVAC system or circulating through the air. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) rating of an air filter measures how effectively the filter prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and entering the airstream. A standard air filter removes particles from the air that circulate throughout the building. It is a general recommendation that you change the air filter in your home every 30 days when using cheaper fiberglass filters.
You can also invest in a high-quality air filter if you don't want to have to change it as often as you do now. To keep air quality under control and keep the house clean, you will want to replace the filter at a minimum interval of 2 to 3 months. However, if you have a smaller appliance used to cool a small space, it often comes with smaller filters, so you may have to change the filter more frequently than in a larger house. One of the most important things you can do on your own to take good care of your HVAC system is simply changing your air filter on a regular basis.
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