If you spend most of your time in your house, and once you factor in sleeping, this applies to just about all of us, air quality is an important health and comfort factor. At the same time, how many of us put off or neglect changing the HVAC filters in our home?
The air filters that are part of our HVAC systems have an effect on the air quality, energy efficiency, finances, and comfort of our homes. Even more important, poor filtration can make a difference in your and your family’s health. But don’t worry, changing your HVAC air filters is an easy, simple job.
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Why Do You Need to Change HVAC Filters?
Changing the HVAC filters in your home might seem so routine. Yet, doing this as recommended can have benefits big and small.
First, let’s take money. Dirty, clogged filters can put stress and literal pressure on your whole HVAC system. A building’s HVAC system is designed to have a smooth, consistent air flow. Clogged filters make it run harder and can lead to a breakdown and repairs far earlier than you expect and might be budgeting for. It will likely be far more expensive than simply replacing filters on a schedule.
If your HVAC’s airflow is less than 100%, it’s running harder to keep up with your thermostat setting and might not be able to get to the temperature you set, especially in the midst of winter or summer. This also uses more energy and increases energy bills. The US Department of Energy estimates clean air filters can cut your HVAC system’s energy consumption by up to 15%.
If dust and dirt, plus moisture, accumulate in your HVAC system or other parts of the house, they could be breeding places for mold. This has multiple effects, none good. Fixing a mold problem in your HVAC or home may be really expensive. More importantly, mold is often harmful to the health of anyone with allergies, respiratory health problems, or asthma.
Even if it’s not rising to the level of a health concern, changing air filters can improve air quality, remove particles and odors from the air, and ensure your HVAC system removes humidity as it’s designed, keeping your home more comfortable.
How Often Should You Change HVAC Filters?
Every one to three months is a pretty standard answer. It’s a good idea to at least check your air returns and filters once a month. If it looks fairly clean, it’s probably fine to change them every two or three months.
But, common factors can make it a good idea to change them more often. Pet hair, dust, smoke, high levels of heating or cooling, and outdoor conditions such as pollen, smoke, humidity, and pollution all can shorten the lifespan of home air filters.
You can save energy by opening windows instead of running the AC. One possible downside is it could let more pollen and dust into your home, which will accumulate on your air filters when you do run your HVAC. It’ll mean you may need to switch out the filters more regularly.
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How Do You Change a HVAC Filter?
Depending on your home and HVAC system, you likely have one or two vents per floor with filters in them. Sometimes the filter is located in or near a furnace or central fan. You can change a filter yourself in a few minutes following a few pretty simple steps.
First, make sure you have the right size filter for each vent in your home. Next, turn off the HVAC to ensure it won’t run while you’re working.
- Find the grill cover on the air intake, then open the door.
- Take the old filter out.
- See if there is a lot of dust, lint, pet hair, or other buildup around the frame or between the edges of the filter and the frame. If there is, wipe this down with a gentle cloth or vacuum it using a gentle brush attachment. You may also need to wipe or vacuum the vent cover.
- Put the new filter in. Note the correct direction for inserting a filter and follow the instructions. Most filters have arrows on them to indicate the correct filter airflow direction. Your HVAC will use more energy and the filter won’t filter as well if it’s installed improperly.
- Close the vent and secure the latch.
- Turn on your HVAC system again.
How Do I Buy the Right HVAC Filter?
The first step in buying the right HVAC filters is to go around your home and count how many you need of what sizes. Some common dimensions are 16”x20”x1” or 14”x20”x1” or 16”x25”x1”.
Most residential HVAC filters are 1” thick, but you can use 2” thick filters if you have particular needs such as higher concern for allergens or asthmatic triggers.The Minimum Efficiency Removal Value (MERV) is a measurement of the size of particles a filter captures. The higher the value — from 1 to 16 — the higher the level of filtration. Filters with MERV 5-8 are fine for most homes. MERV 9-12 is used in larger residential and commercial properties. MERV 13-16 is used in settings such as hospitals. Larger, thicker, and higher-MERV filters typically cost more.
If you have specific needs you can use higher-MERV filters. For people with asthma and allergy triggers and for filtering out airborne particulates overall, mold included, the National Institute of Health recommends using HVAC filters with a MERV rating of 12 or higher in home ventilation systems.
Air Filters in Portable and Window Air Conditioners
Portable ACs or window AC units also have air filters. The recommended period for changing filters depends a great deal on how often you’re running it.
For portable air conditioners, it’s recommended to check the filter twice a month, if you’re using it steadily, and change it when needed. Some appliances have cleanable, reusable filters, and they should be checked and cleaned as the instructions with the specific appliance say.
With window AC units, the more you’re using it, and the more the outdoor environment has pollen, dust, smoke, or other particulates in it, the more often you’ll need to change filters. Improved energy efficiency, performance, maintenance, and lifespan are additional reasons to keep filters in good shape.
Having the right HVAC filters helps with your home’s overall energy efficiency and other important factors. Another possible step toward energy efficiency for your whole home is clean, renewable solar energy via home solar panels. To learn more about home solar and home electrification, start with our solar savings calculator or contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you change your HVAC air filter yourself?
Yes. It’s typically simple and takes just a few minutes to change your HVAC air filters around your house. It’s a good idea to clean or vacuum any built-up dust or dirt in or along the sides of vents or air returns while replacing filters.
What happens if you don’t change your air filter?
If you don’t change old, dirty air filters, there can be negative health effects as well as worse air quality, shorter HVAC lifespan, worse energy efficiency, and expensive repairs. The likelihood of mold in your home could increase and anyone with asthma or allergies could experience respiratory problems.
Where can I buy air filters?
You can buy HVAC air filters in store or online. If you are looking for specialized sizes and higher-MERV filters, you may need to go to a specialty store. In general though, grocery stores, big box stores, home improvement stores, HVAC-focused stores, and more sell filters. You might also be able to get them regularly delivered through a subscription service.
What are smart air filters?
Smart air filters have sensors that can alert you when your filter needs to be replaced and, depending on the features and your settings, have one automatically shipped to your home.
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Andrew GiermakWriter and EditorAndrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.
