The basic consensus among HVAC professionals is that you should replace your furnace filter
every 90 days
— or every three months. However, that depends on the filter’s thickness. Thicker filters have more room to collect dirt and dust, so they don’t have to be changed as often.
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 when you don’t change 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.
How long is a furnace filter good for?
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.
How often should you replace the air filter in your furnace?
In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done: For
1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months
.
For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months
.
Is no air filter better than a dirty one?
Running your air conditioner
without a filter is worse than running it with a dirty one
. … Without a filter, your air conditioner is at risk for severe and expensive problems. Take our advice and never run your system without one.
Do you have to turn off furnace to change filter?
Do you have to turn off the Furnace to change the Filter?
Yes
, this is the safest thing to do. It’s important to shut off the power source to your appliance before beginning any furnace maintenance.
Why does my furnace filter get dirty so fast?
One-inch pleated filters quickly get dirty
because they’re designed to catch more airborne contaminants
. Think of 1-inch pleated air filters as a fine fish net with a very small gaps: it catches everything from big to small fish, but that also means the net fills up with fish faster (say that 3 times fast).
How do I know if my furnace filter is dirty?
- Filter is a different color. …
- Energy bills are higher than usual. …
- Low air flow. …
- Rise in physical issues. …
- Headaches. …
- Allergies. …
- Carbon monoxide poisoning. …
- Forces HVAC systems to work harder.
Can a dirty filter stop a furnace from working?
Dirty air filters
are often the culprit behind an inefficiently performing furnace. That’s because air filters trap dust, dirt and debris like hair, which over time can restrict or block vital air flow, overheating the heat exchanger and preventing your furnace from working as it should.
Do I need both a furnace filter and a return air grill filter?
While many people refer to air conditioning and furnace filters as if they’re different, this is not the case.
Your furnace and your air conditioning system use the exact same filter
, so there’s no need to worry about purchasing separate filters for each piece of equipment.
How long does an air filter last in a house?
If you use standard 1 to 3-inch air filters, you should change filters
every 30 to 60 days
if you are allergy-free. Should you suffer light to moderate allergies, change filters or replace them more often, around every three weeks. How would you rate your home’s indoor air quality?
Can you vacuum furnace filters?
Vacuuming your furnace filter will remove the build up of dirt and dust that impedes airflow through your system and increases your cooling systems run time. Vacuuming your furnace filter will not likely extend the life of your filter though.
Can I clean my air filter instead of replacing it?
Clean or Replace? : Generally, your car’s
air filters can be cleaned a few times before being replaced
. Depending on the type, you can clean them with a vacuum, or with a damp cloth. … However, air filters usually aren’t very expensive, so if there’s any question about their condition, full replacement is a good idea.
What are the signs of a dirty air filter?
- A Decrease in Engine Power. Each drive sucks in contaminated air, and engine filters prevent debris, dust, dirt, and bugs from entering the engine. …
- The Engine Misfires. …
- Weird Engine Noises. …
- Reduced Fuel Efficiency. …
- The Engine Filter Looks Dirty. …
- Engine air filter replacement in Atlanta, GA.
How dirty should an air filter look?
A clean air filter appears white or off-white in color, but as it accumulates dust and dirt, it will look darker in color. However, very often, the inner layers of filter paper inside the air filter might have dust and debris that is not visible even in bright light.
