How often should furnace filters be changed?

In most cases, you should replace your filter at least every three months -- including in summer. If you can't seem to remember to do it, a good rule of thumb is to change your furnace filter every time the seasons change.

How often should you change your furnace filter in the winter?

Professionals, like our team at Airco Service, Inc. say that you should change your air filter at least every three months. During the winter, when you rely on your heating system more, you want to increase that frequency. During the winter, when the system is in constant use, change it out every month.

What happens if you don't change your furnace filter?

Without a new air filter, the furnace will overheat every time it starts up again. This is referred to as short cycling. Dirty furnace filters cause your furnace to work harder than it should due to a decrease in airflow. The harder your furnace works, the quicker its parts will wear out and need repairs.

Do furnace filters really last 3 months?

Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.

Do furnace filters really last 3 months?

Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.

Why are my air filters so dirty?

If you notice that your air filters get dirty very quickly, it might be due to the quality of the air filter you're buying. Cheaper air filters cost less because they are low quality. As a result, they have a shorter lifespan than high-performance air filters. Take for example a standard fiberglass air filter.

Do furnace filters make a difference?

When it comes to furnace filters, the rule of thumb for many HVAC professionals is “the cheaper the better.” HVAC systems are not designed to improve air quality in the home, and filters are important to keep the furnace and air conditioner working properly.

Is no air filter better than a dirty one?

No, you should never run your AC without a filter! While your HVAC unit will run, it should never run without an air filter. Dirt is the number one cause of air conditioners breaking down, so running your unit without an installed air filters can cause serious damage.

How long should a furnace filter last?

Change Your Filters Regularly For example, a one inch furnace filter should be changed out every one to three months. A three to four-inch filter can last for six to nine months. If you have a thick five to six-inch filter, it can last from nine to twelve months.

Will furnace shut off if filter is dirty?

Running a Furnace With a Dirty Filter Namely, it impedes air from flowing properly through your furnace, and can trigger it to shut down. This can result in a colder home. Since the furnace will have to work harder to get air through, you can also expect higher energy costs.

Why does my furnace filter turn black?

Excess Amounts of Dirt and Debris – Including Soot The more there is, the quicker your air filter will become clogged. If you don't regularly check your furnace filter often, the sheer amount of dirt could make the air filter black. This is especially true if you burn candles or have a fireplace.

How long do furnaces usually last?

How long can you run a furnace without a filter?

However, some situations warrant the need for heating in the home regardless of the risk. In that case, other homeowners have reported that running it for a night without an air filter should be fine. Still, they warn only to do so if it's absolutely needed. At most, you can run it for two days without a filter.

What happens if you put furnace filter in backwards?

When a furnace filter is placed backwards, the fibers can't do their job properly. This means your furnace has to work harder to generate the same air flow, resulting in increased energy costs. Particles are also allowed to build up irregularly, making the furnace working even harder to draw air.

What color should an air filter be?

Signs your furnace filter needs changing: The filter is noticeably gray in color, and you can see dirt and dust built up on the filter media.

How do I know if my air filter is dirty in my house?

One clever way to determine if the air filter is dirty is to do the "white sheet test." This involves hanging a clean white sheet approximately 5 inches away from one of the vents for at least one hour. If the sheet turns gray, you've got a filthy air filter. The grayer the sheet, the dirtier the filter.

How long does furnace filter last?

Change Your Filters Regularly For example, a one inch furnace filter should be changed out every one to three months. A three to four-inch filter can last for six to nine months. If you have a thick five to six-inch filter, it can last from nine to twelve months.

Can a dirty furnace filter make you sick?

If the filter's dirty, everything past the filter is dirty too, including the air you breathe. This pumps your home full of dust and allergens. Speaking of allergens, they can cause a number of physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, tightness in your chest, and a mess of cold symptoms you may not be able to shake.

How many hours does a furnace filter last?

Use: Most manufacturers recommend that the filters be changed out after two or three hundred hours of use which roughly averages out to once a month.

Do furnace filters really last 3 months?

Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.

Why is my air filter black after one month?

Your Air Filter is Severely Clogged. If neither soot nor mold is causing your air filter to be black, it is likely severely clogged. When your air filter is clogged, it can restrict airflow, hindering your home's indoor air quality while damaging your HVAC system in the process.

Why is my furnace filter dirty after 2 weeks?

You're using a filter that is too thick. The job of your filter is to catch contaminants as the air passes through, such as pet hair, dander, and dust. If you're using a heavy, pleated filter, it's going to catch more that tries to come through. Needless to say, the filter is going to get dirty fairly quickly.

Are Filtrete filters worth the money?

CR's take: The Filtrete 1900 Maximum Allergen Reduction filter is impressive at removing dust, pollen, and smoke from the air when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed, earning an Excellent rating in that test. But at the lowest speed, the filter is only average at removing those same airborne particles.

Do expensive air filters really work?

Yes, in general, the more expensive air filters are more effective, but a single person with no pets and allergies might not need as much filtration as a family of five with three pets and a child with asthma.

Does changing furnace filter help with dust?

Your HVAC service can help you put various solutions in place to reduce dust in your home for a cleaner and healthier environment. Changing your furnace filter regularly—every one to three months—is a good way to reduce dust and other airborne particles inside your home.

Can a black air filter make you sick?

As soon as you notice air filter black mold, dispose of the filters! Mold can make you and your family very ill. Symptoms of sickness from mold can include a sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing and eye irritation.

How often should I Change my respiratory furnace filter?

You must have a clean filter, MERV 8 filters should be changed every 3-4 months, MERV 10 & 11 filters every 6 months and it’s a good idea to change MERV 16 filters every year. There are certain household factors that could change how often to change the respiratory furnace filter on your HVAC unit.

Why clean air and change furnace filters?

Clean air and Changing your furnace filters is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your heating and cooling system. If it’s up to you to do the important task of changing the heating filter you will find the information below helpful. Clean furnace filters are the key to good air quality and a heating system’s long life.

How do you change a furnace filter?

Fortunately, changing the filter is easy. It involves loosening the screws that hold the filter cover in place if it’s located behind a return-air vent or simply pulling the filter out from a slot if it’s on the side of the furnace. The old filter will be dirty, so have a large trash bag ready.

What sizes do furnace filters come in?

We also offer 5-inch furnace filters ( 16x25x5 or 20x25x5 ), whole house air filter brands, and rigid cell furnace filters . How often should you replace your furnace filter?