For Merv 8, 11 and 13 filters, we recommend that you change the filter at least every 3 months, however, changing the filter every 2 months provides better filtration, providing healthier and cleaner air in your home. However, experts recommend changing it once every 30 days if your air filter is made of fiberglass filters, which are of relatively poor quality. On the other hand, expensive pleated filters can work well with a replacement once every three months or six months. You must change the filter at least every 90 days.
In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. That may change depending on the location of your home (e.g. e.g. dry and dusty climates), if you have pets and the age of your system and equipment.
If you have pets in the house, 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. Usually, vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. Air filters with a MERV 11 rating or higher can typically take three to six months before they are replaced.
Specifically, for high MERV ratings and greater thickness, these filters easily require only two filter changes per year. A general rule of thumb 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. Find out below if you should replace the filter more often.
In general, the ideal MERV filter for your home depends on your needs, in addition to what you have in your home. In addition to filtering particles filtered by MERV 8 and 11, the MERV 13 can filter kitchen smoke, smog and virus carriers. Because of their pleats, filters, such as the Honeywell Ultra Efficiency filter (also available on Amazon), have more square inches of space to trap dust, so they often require fewer changes, usually every 90 days. Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the manufacturer of your oven or air conditioner may impair its performance.
MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters are commonly used in operating rooms, cleanrooms, and other settings that require absolute cleanliness. Use a filter with a MERV rating of 12, such as the Nordic Pure Filter (available on Amazon), if your oven can do it. This type has filtration capabilities similar to those of the MERV 8, but with additional efficiency for filtering a pet's coat. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters that are designed to filter out small particles of bacteria, mold and mildew, but your standard MERV 8-11 filters will simply block out larger particles of dust, dirt %26 hair.
How often you should change your home air filter depends on the type of filter, its thickness, the MERV rating, and some special conditions. Air filters typically have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) that determines the type and size of contaminants against which the filter will operate. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. Your oven owner's manual will specify the best MERV rating for your oven and, in general, filters with a MERV rating of 6 to 9 should be changed every 90 days, while those with a MERV rating of 10 to 12 should be changed every 60 days.
But how often do you need to change the air filter? How often do you need to change the oven filter? Well, it depends. For example, the presence of pets and people with allergies requires an air filter with a higher MERV rating to collect more particulate matter. If the filter looks very dirty, the white folds are not visible, and it has turned gray or brown, then it's time to change the filter. By removing the air filter from the air handler, if you hold it close 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.
. .