How often do you change pleated filters?

As a general rule, you'll want to replace pleated air filters and furnace filters in your home every 90 days. The longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust and allergens are trapped clogging the filter and decreasing their efficiency.

How long does a pleated filter last?

Pleated air filters are high-quality filters that are very effective in trapping particles and last up to 90 days. Pets—If you own pets, change your filters every two months to keep your air clean.

Can you clean a pleated air filter?

Handling a Filter Can Damage Its Integrity

If you tear a hole in the fibers or loosen the fiber density, your air filters cannot work as well as before. Instead of cleaning a disposable air filter, throw it away and replace it with a new one.

How often should AC filters be changed?

You should replace these about every 90 days, if you have no allergies, but AC pros typically recommend every 45 days for max efficiency. Be sure to replace them with the right size and type of air filter. If your AC was working properly, you could remove the filter and buy one that is identical to it.

Are more pleats in an air filter better?

Catch more debris: Pleated air filters have more surface area, so they capture more – and smaller – debris. Depending on the MERV rating, they may filter out pollen, pet dander, bacteria, and some viruses. This makes a pleated air filter a much better choice for anyone with allergies, asthma, or similar sensitivities.

How Often Should You Change Air Filters? Dust Removal Tip

Are pleated filters bad for HVAC?

Pleated filters are bad for your system because they block too much air, forcing the HVAC motor to work harder to pull in the air it needs and burning it out faster.

How efficient is a pleated filter?

Better HVAC Protection

The average efficiency of a pleated air filter ranges between 25% and 30%, but it may go up to 45% in the case of carbon material.

What happens if you dont change AC filter?

If you don't change your AC filter, it will begin to fail. It will no longer be able to filter the air properly, letting dust and contaminants get into the AC. Dust jams the moving parts of an AC such as fan motors and valves. Airflow is restricted which creates a strain on the system.

Can a dirty AC 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 often should AC filters be cleaned?

Clean or replace your air conditioning system's filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

Which side of air filter faces out?

If your filter is on the wall, the arrow should face the wall. Does your filter not have an arrow on it? First check again as nearly all filters do have it, likely in the corner of one of the sides. If it does not have an arrow though, you'll want the side with the wire-frame to be facing outward.

Why is my air filter black?

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 always clean?

There's simply not enough stuff in the air for it to filter out. Additionally, if you only turn your air conditioning unit on a few times a month, it can also affect how much your filter picks up. If your heating or AC unit isn't on, then the filter won't work.

How often should a MERV 11 filter be changed?

For Merv 8, 11 and 13 filters, we recommend that you change your filter at least every 3 months, however changing your filter every 2 months provides better filtration which provides healthier and cleaner air in your home.

How often should you change a MERV 12 filter?

Your furnace's owner's manual will specify the best MERV rating for your furnace, and in general, filters with a MERV rating of 6 through 9 should be changed every 90 days, while those with a MERV rating of 10 through 12 should be changed every 60 days.

How long does a MERV 16 filter last?

The basic recommendation for furnace filters replacement is every 3-4 months for MERV 8, every 6 months MERV 10 and 11 and every year for MERV 16.

Why does my AC filter get dirty so quickly?

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.

What are the signs of a dirty air filter?

Is it better to have a dirty air filter or no air filter?

Allergen Buildup: If anyone in your home suffers from asthma or respiratory allergies, it's especially important to keep the air filters clean. A dirty filter can cause allergens to build up in your duct system, and they'll linger there for months.

What happens if air filter is backwards?

If you set your filter up backwards, the normally collective end of the device will not face the air supply. In effect, your filter will help keep debris in the air. This results in a clogged filter and improperly cleaned air when it reaches your lungs.

Do all return vents need filters?

In general, it is recommended to have an air filter in every return vent (as long as you choose the one of the right size and thickness). The filters will improve the air quality in your house and will protect the HVAC equipment from dust, pollen, pet dander, and hair.

How long can you run AC without filter?

The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short amount of time without hurting your system. That being said, running your AC without a filter for longer than 6-8 hours can cause serious damage to your AC system and significantly lower the quality of the air in your home.

Are pleated filters worth it?

A pleated filter is made up of different sizes, and readily captures pathogens as small as 0.3 microns, filtering out even the tiniest of bacteria. They are overall more effective in capturing very tiny particles than non-pleated air filters; 99.97% of airborne particles are trapped with a pleated air filter.

Do pleated filters restrict airflow?

Because they restrict airflow to your HVAC system. Pleated, high-MERV filters definitely capture a lot of pollutants, but they also restrict the movement of air into your blower or furnace. As a result, the fan has to work harder to heat and cool your home, reducing efficiency.

What filters do HVAC techs recommend?

HEPA Filter — HVAC replacement companies typically recommend HEPA filters because they can provide the highest protection level when it comes to airborne particles. This filter is capable of capturing small microns, and has a MERV rating between 17 and 20, meaning it can trap tobacco smoke and bacteria.