You might be wondering what the correct length of time may be when switching out your furnace air filters. Well, there really aren’t specific guidelines, just recommendations, and sometimes it can simply be based on how they look. Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, A/C, and Electric have been in business since 1986 and have seen it all! The typical recommendation is every 90 days, or three months, depending on the quality of air filter you use.
Changing your furnace air filter is important for many reasons but the main reason is to help keep your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible! One recommendation you may see floating around is that 1 to 2-inch filters should be changed every 3 months, 4-inch filters should be changed every 6 months, and 5-inch filters every 12 months. Another good rule of thumb is just to check it every few months to examine the amount of dust on your filter. For those of you that have asthma or any type of lung disease, changing your filter more often is highly recommended and can help improve the air quality of your home as well as keep your HVAC system in tip-top-working-condition! Filters that are marked “30-day filters” are typically used in older units that may have difficulty circulating air with heavier and pleated, “HEPA” style filters. And, if you buy 30-day filters, you really should change them after 30 days due to the build up of dust and dander.
Our technicians at Affordable Service also want to inform you of instances to check your air filter as well. Living in the New Mexico desert, the wind is something you should expect to have a lot of, and on especially windy weeks, it’s good to re-check that air filter. Have you noticed that your heater is turning on more frequently than it usually does? It could mean that your air filter is dirty and needs to be replaced. It can often become a forgetful task around the house, but if you consistently change your air filters you are essentially prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC system. Right now, Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, A/C, and Electric are offering up to $1,500 in rebates when you have us install your new HVAC system!
