Filters

You may be wondering how often you’ll need to change your air filter. The answer is that it depends on the system you have. Some air filters will need to be replaced every 30 to 60 days while others can be changed out every 6 to 12 months. When in doubt, check with your HVAC technician or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

For 1″ – 2″ filters, replace them every 1-3 months
For 3″ – 4″ filters, replace them every 6-9 months
For 5″ – 6″ filters, replace them every 9-12 months

If you have further questions about knowing when your furnace filter needs replacement, please check with the Modern HVAC team.

While some humidifier filter replacements should happen several times each year (e.g. every 3 months), generally once per year is enough. Filter replacement depends on the type of air filter you have. When in doubt, talk with your HVAC technician or check the instruction manual to determine the number of times your filter should be replaced.

If you neglect to perform a furnace filter replacement, you will eventually experience low airflow throughout your system. As a result, your A/C unit will have to work extra hard to maintain your comfort. This will, in turn, draw more electricity and ultimately increase your energy bills. Regularly updating a clogged filter can increase your A/C system’s efficiency between 5 and 15%.

If you ignore your dirty air filter, it will cause your fan motors and other components within the system to work harder. This can unfortunately shorten the lifespan of your HVAC system if not dealt with. Lastly, to keep you and your family comfortable, you will want to change your filters often. Neglecting a dirty air filter can cause problems with keeping your home cool and may even cause family members to feel uncomfortable with your indoor air quality.

What is Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)? This is a rating of the furnace or air conditioning filter’s ability to trap airborne particles and ability to keep good airflow. You will see MERV ratings labeled between 1 and 16. The value 16 stands for the best filtration available on the market.

Do you or another family member have allergies or asthma? The number of times you change your furnace or A/C filter will be paramount to your/their health and comfort. We recommend choosing a filter with 12 to 16 MERV for the most effective removal of airborne particles. Ensure you check your A/C or furnace once a month.

If you have pets in your home, you will need to consider several factors as that will determine how often you may need to change your air filter. This includes factoring the number of pets, their size, and their hair length. The more pet dander and hair, the higher volume of airborne particles your air filter will need to trap.

Additionally, your pets will likely bring in additional dirt, dust, bacteria, viruses, and even insects into your home. If you have only one pet, you likely can just follow the recommendations as provided by the filter manufacturer. However, if you have several pets, you should check your air filter at a minimum of once every 30 days.

Modern Sheet Metal not only provides air conditioning and furnace filter replacement and installation services, but we also sell furnace filters. If you can’t find the specific furnace filter you need, please contact us today!