A professional AC tune-up includes replacing filters. However, air filters should be changed more than once a year, so you shouldn’t wait for an AC maintenance crew to arrive. Replacing a filter is a simple task. If you do this, Trilogy AC’s technicians can focus on cleaning coils, checking electrical performance, lubricating parts, and other maintenance tasks instead of addressing issues caused by persistently dirty filters.
Therefore, don’t wait for an AC tune-up to have new air filters installed.
When to Change an Air Conditioner Filter
Across the HVAC industry, manufacturers, dealers, and service companies recognize specific guidelines for replacing air filters. If you’re unsure when to change your filter, these general rules can help:
- Every 3 months, as most AC professionals recommend.
- Every 2 months if you live in a dry or dusty area or have a pet.
- Every 20 to 45 days if you have numerous pets or people in your household with allergies or respiratory conditions.
Generally, the more use a filter gets, the faster it fills up. Therefore, it should be changed more frequently. Filters that are used less or have higher capacities can last much longer. For example, air filters in vacation homes can last as long as a year. Some high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can last six to 12 months or longer.
However, fiberglass, pleated, and other standard AC filters have a limited lifespan and don’t last more than a few months in the best conditions.
Factors That Affect When to Change an AC Filter
A few factors influence how often you should change a filter. You generally don’t want to wait until your next AC tune-up, but here are the most significant variables to consider:
- Type of Filter: Fiberglass filters typically last 30 days or less, while pleated air filters cost more upfront but can last up to 90 days.
- Filter Thickness: The thicker the filter media, the more debris it can capture. Thicker filters can last longer than those with thinner membranes.
- Filter Cost: Cheaper filters generally need to be replaced more often. They can work fine as long as you don’t mind the extra work.
- Season: Your AC is in higher demand during summer, so you may have to change the filter more often. This may not be true in seasons when you use it less. But check your filters often if you have animals that shed more in warmer months.
- Air Quality: The air quality outside can affect air filters inside your home. Dust, fumes, debris, and other pollutants in cities can clog filters quickly. Wildfire smoke can also have an impact.
- Home Occupancy: The more people in your household, the shorter your air filter’s lifespan may be. Living alone with no pets can maximize a filter’s life. But if you have young kids at home, they can track in dirt and are more sensitive to various pollutants, so replace the filter more often and consider a higher-quality option.
Check Your AC Filter Every Month
Your AC maintenance routine should include inspecting your air filter monthly. It’s the only way to know for sure whether to change it. A visual inspection lets you see how dirty it is.
A clogged filter should be replaced immediately. You can tell if the media is caked in dust. Or, remove the filter and hold it up to a light source; light should pass through. If it doesn’t, the filter is too clogged to do its job.
What If I Don’t Replace an AC Filter?
Air conditioner filters trap dust, dirt, hair, pollen, and all types of debris. The highest-efficiency filters can trap mold, bacteria, and viruses. If you don’t change an air filter as recommended, it can have the following effects:
- Reduced Efficiency: A clogged filter blocks airflow. Since your AC relies on a steady supply of air to cool your home, it will work harder and use more energy.
- AC Damage: Dust and other contaminants can get past a dirty filter and clog fan motors and valves. The system will be strained until it breaks down.
- Frequent Repairs: A filter is a relatively inexpensive item. However, not changing it can result in damage to major components that are costly to replace. Over time, excessive strain can lead to multiple AC repairs.
- Reduced Comfort: An air conditioner with a clogged filter or performance issues cannot cool your home effectively. Reduced performance can cause temperatures to fluctuate or vary from one room to another.
- Unpleasant Odors: If odor-causing materials get trapped in a dirty filter, they can pass through the system and circulate in your home. Moldy smells are most common with neglected air filters.
- Higher Risk of Illness: Trapped pollutants and poor indoor air quality can allow bacteria and viruses to thrive. Colds, flu, and other illnesses can become more common. Illness can also arise from toxins released by mold.
Waiting too long to change an air filter or avoiding an AC tune-up entirely can shorten the life of your air conditioning system. This can mean replacing it years ahead of schedule. Therefore, spending a few dollars on preventative maintenance can save you thousands.
Don’t Forget About Air Filter Replacement
Regular filter changes and other types of maintenance can improve your AC system’s efficiency. They can also increase its reliability. Your home will be cooler and repairs may be fewer and far between. A longer system lifespan is also among the top benefits of routine filter replacement, not to mention having cleaner air to breathe.
Schedule AC Maintenance Today
Trilogy AC provides tune-ups and other air conditioning services in the Houston area. Our technicians are thorough and have the knowledge and tools to address any issue. We recommend changing air filters often but provide new ones during an annual AC tune-up. And, based on our findings, we can recommend more efficient and longer-lasting filters. Call (832) 241-5082 today to schedule maintenance.
