How to Determine the Recommended Time Frame to Replace Your Furnace Filters

There is a lot of confusion about when one should replace one’s furnace filters, and for good reason. The recommended time frame to change furnace filters is typically somewhere between 30 and 90 days on average. However, from the type of furnace you own and the heating source it uses, to the make and model of the filters you normally buy, there are lots of factors that will determine when you should have your filters replaced and why.

Also, there may be malfunctions with the system, or the way that heat is distributed throughout your home could even lead to overuse and the need to replace filters more frequently than normal.

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How You Can Know If Your Filters Need Replacing

According to heating service Denver experts, the best approach when trying to determine when to have your filters replaced is to perform regular check-ups and see how quickly your filters get dirty. If you or someone in your family has an allergy, then you might need to have all the HVAC filters replaced within a month or so, even if they’re not that dirty. However, in most other cases, the following guidelines should suffice:

  1. Check to see if the filter is damaged or dirty. Because of its construction, you’ll find that cleaning it is not a good option, and you will need to have it replaced as soon as possible to maintain good air quality throughout your home.
  2. Make sure you also check for moisture and mold. If it’s present, you will have to replace your filters sooner than usual.
  3. When determining when to check for problems, check for bad odors coming from your vents and HVAC system, and make sure enough hot air gets to where it needs to go. If your thermostat is set high but heat fails to get to its destination properly, then there’s a slight chance that you have a problem with your However, most often than not, the real problem is just a clogged air filter.
  4. The general guidelines on furnace filters is that they have to be replaced once every three months. This is true for smaller, 2-inch filters, but even then it’s just a generous estimate on the period. You should typically check to see if the filter needs to be replaced after 30-60 days of use, especially if your heating system has been running a lot in that time.
  5. If you own larger, 4 or 5-inch filters, the same is true for the generally accepted guideline of having them changed once every 6 to 12 months. Check much sooner, and make sure you have your furnace inspected regularly to identify any issues that could require your filters to be replaced much sooner.

Types of Filters and Their Quality Level

Not all filters need to be replaced after the recommended amount of time, as some are much more durable and can also be washed. This is true of electrostatic filters which use self-charging fibers that can attract particles from the air. Polyester and high end pleated filters are also known to remove many of the smaller particles that could cause a drop in air quality, and are both longer-lasting than cheaper, fiberglass filters which will be almost unusable after just a couple of months.

If you want to make sure that your filters last longer so you don’t have to replace them as often, choose pleated or electrostatic filters offered by reliable manufacturers. These might be more expensive, but they won’t cause you as many problems as the less costly ones will over time.