Changing out an air filter is something a lot of people surprisingly forget to do when it's appropriate. Considering the air filter serves a significant role, it's imperative to keep it clean.

Just as you clean the various nooks and crannies in your home, your air filter should not be the exception. With that said, you may wonder just how often it's necessary to change it out. The answer to that question is not as straightforward as one may like. It widely depends on a few different factors.

These factors include family size, the region you live in, whether or not you own pets, as well as if there's children or elderly people in the home. It can also be dependent on whether or not people in your home have bad allergies. In this article, we will uncover the appropriate time to switch out your air filter based on your living situation.

How often should you change your air filter?

In order to keep the quality of your air at its best, you will need to regularly switch out your air filters. By doing so, your AC unit will work more effectively, resulting in cleaner air, and lower energy bills.

How often you should change your air filter depends on several variables including the quality of the air filter you select. The two most common air filters are: Fiberglass and Pleated.

Fiberglass FIlters

Fiberglass filters are usually extremely inexpensive but will need to be changed out every 30 days or less.

Pleated Filters

Pleated filters on the other hand, may cost more, but you get what you pay for seeing these filters usually last from 3-6 months depending on the current season.

Overall, pleated filters trap more dirt, are more durable, and they are proven to be better quality. It may cost you a few bucks more, but it's worth it in the long run.

More factors to consider when changing air filter

There are several variables to consider when it comes to not only the quality of the air filter you purchase, but also how frequent you should change it out. These factors include but are not limited to:

Region: For some lucky people who live in an area where it's not necessary to use your AC or furnace, the lifespan of your air filter can be prolonged. If you are running your AC or furnace for more than 5 hours per day, you will need to change it out routinely.
Size of Home: For larger homes, air filters may need to be switched out more frequently than those living in smaller homes. This is due to the fact that it requires more AC to fill the larger home on a daily basis which shortens the lifespan of your air filter.
Children/ Elderly: For homes that have children or elderly individuals, you will want to choose pleated air filters and change them out every 60-90 days ensuring that the air stays clean from germs and air particles that could be dangerous.
Allergies: For those who suffer from allergies, you will also want to not only change your air filter more frequent (every 30-40 days), but you will want to invest in a high quality air filter as well. It may cost you a bit more, but it's absolutely worth it.

The takeaway

Air filters are worth the investment. Regardless if you live in a small home with two adults, or a larger home with small children, a good quality air filter is always recommended.

Routine air filter changes not only give you a peace of mind in terms of the air you breathe, but it's also crucial for your overall health.