How Often Should You Really Change Your Air Filter?

It's one of the simplest maintenance tasks a homeowner can do, yet it's also one of the most commonly overlooked. A dirty air filter restricts airflow, forces your system to work harder, and can shorten the life of your HVAC equipment.

As a general rule, a standard 1-inch fiberglass filter should be replaced every 30 days. Pleated filters, which capture more particles, can typically go 60 to 90 days between changes.

Homes with pets, allergy sufferers, or higher dust levels should check filters more frequently — sometimes as often as every three to four weeks — since pet dander and dust build up faster and clog filters sooner.

A good habit is to physically check the filter once a month, even if you don't plan to replace it yet. Hold it up to a light source: if you can't see light passing through it clearly, it's time for a new one.

Staying on top of filter changes is one of the easiest ways to protect your system's efficiency and avoid unnecessary repair calls down the road.