How Often Should I Change My Furnace Filter?

Many home and business owners don’t give their furnace a second thought as long as it’s doing its job. This is a mistake because furnaces, at the very least, need their air filters changed on a recurring basis. Otherwise, they’ll impede airflow, reduce energy efficiency, and let all sorts of pollutants circulate and re-circulate through the property.

Filter replacement is a basic maintenance task. You could leave it up to the professionals at Liberty Comfort Systems to handle it here in Anoka, MN, or you could consider it a DIY project. Either way, it’s a good idea to know when the filter should be replaced.

Every 30 Days for Fiberglass Filters

The least expensive, but also least durable, filters are fiberglass filters. These can capture dust and dirt but nothing too small. For instance, it cannot capture mold spores or pet dander, much less cigarette smoke or the particulate matter found in vehicle exhaust fumes. On average, they last 30 days.

Every 90 Days for Pleated Filters

Most homeowners opt for pleated filters. These are made from paper or polyester sheets, are more durable, and capture finer particles. They also capture more because, being pleated, their surface area is much greater than that of the flat fiberglass filter. Assuming that your property harbors nothing detrimental to indoor air quality, these filters can be effective for 90 days.

Other Considerations

If, on the other hand, you own a dog or cat, then your indoor air quality is already compromised. In that case, pleated filters will, from the excess of pet hair and dander, need replacing after 60 days rather than 90 days. If you or someone else has a respiratory condition, this would be another reason to replace pleated filters sooner.