How Often Should You Replace a 20x20x4 Air Filter?

For basic 1 to 3 air filters, brands typically recommend changing them every 30 to 90 days. If someone in your family has mild to moderate allergies, you may want to opt for a better air filter or change it more frequently. Fiberglass air filters are the more affordable option, but they are less effective at trapping dust and particles from the air. Generally, these should be replaced every 30 days or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Pleated air filters should be changed approximately every three to six months. The frequency of air filter replacement depends on several factors, such as your home, occupants, and location. A filter with a higher MERV rating will last longer, but it can also reduce airflow in your home. The lifespan and replacement cycle of the boiler and air conditioner filter are affected by outdoor and indoor air quality.

If the filter is not changed regularly, it can even shorten the life of the oven or air conditioner, so it's important to include air filter replacement in your list of common household maintenance tasks. The air filter in your air conditioning system will capture airborne pollutants to prevent them from recirculating throughout the house. By filtering these contaminants, an oven filter improves the quality of the air inside the house, making it easier to breathe. However, filters with higher MERV ratings are denser and require more power from the oven to draw air through them. Not all ovens have enough power to do so. People with allergies or respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD, may be affected by a dirty air filter as their lungs are more sensitive to dust and debris.

People in the north whose ovens don't stop working for months may prefer to change the filter every 30 or 60 days as more air passes through the filter and it clogs up more quickly. The deeper the folds, the larger the surface area of the filter and the more space it will have to collect airborne particles, so it may not clog as quickly as a flat filter. Clogged filters not only negatively affect a home's air quality but they also force the oven to work harder to get air into the system, which can shorten its lifespan. If you change your air filter and these problems persist, we recommend that you contact a professional HVAC technician to help you fix the problem.

It is important for homeowners to remember that their home's air filters should be changed regularly

in order to keep their system running smoothly and maintain optimal indoor air quality.