It's essential to keep your home's air clean and healthy, and one of the best ways to do this is by regularly changing the filter on your 1 inch furnace. But how often should you replace it? The general consensus is that you should change it every 3 months, or 90 days. But why is this so important? Let's take a look at the reasons why and when you should change your air filter. The thickness of the filter plays a role in how often it needs to be changed. Thinner filters, such as those in the traditional disposable model (1 inch thick), should be replaced at least every two months.
Thicker filters are designed to be more efficient because the thicker the material, the more waste can leach out of the home's air ducts. Even coarse-grained filters should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. If there are several people in the house who smoke, you'll want to replace it with a thicker filter and change it more frequently, about once a month for filters smaller than 2 inches or about every three months for thick filters of 5 to 6 inches. When you remove the air filter from the air controller, if you hold it near a light source, you'll be able to 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. In addition, there are several factors specific to your home that have a greater impact on how often you actually need a new filter.
However, some air conditioning systems have filters inside the return air ducts scattered throughout several rooms in the house. The filter manufacturer indicates the recommended replacement frequency in the product information included when purchasing a new filter. If you don't change your filter regularly, you will no longer be able to filter the air properly, allowing dust and contaminants to enter the air conditioning system. This can cause your HVAC system to become clogged and inefficient, leading to higher energy bills and reduced air quality in your home. To prevent this from happening, here are some strategies to help you remember to do this essential home maintenance task.
Marking the calendar every 90 days or trying to remember the last time you changed the filter can be quite a challenge, which is why many oven manufacturers recommend changing them at the start of each new season. If you need help changing filters or cleaning your boiler, talk to a boiler maintenance professional in your area. It's all too easy to skip a filter change when the HVAC equipment is hidden and out of sight, but this important task must become a priority. The oven owner's manual will specify the best MERV rating for the 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. For every furry family member that lives in your house, the lifespan of a filter is reduced by approximately 30 days, so you change oven filters more often. Changing your furnace filter regularly is an important part of keeping your home healthy and comfortable.
It is necessary to have a clean filter to prevent dust from passing through the air conditioning system, where it can accumulate in the indoor coils of the air conditioner and reduce its efficiency. You may want to leave a towel or place a garbage can nearby, as moving the dirty filter could release some dust bunnies and create a mess.
