It might surprise you to learn that the indoor air quality of a home can be worse than outdoor air quality. This is something to think about considering how much of our time is spent at home. Replacing HVAC filters on a regular basis will go a long way to improving air quality. But, how often should a HVAC filter be changed in order to maintain a healthy indoor environment?
The answer to this really depends on the area a person lives in, how often the HVAC system is used and how many people are in the home. This being said, a general rule would be to change the filter every 3 months. It may be beneficial to replace it more often than that, however. In larger households including those with pets, there may be a larger accumulation of dirt, dust and pet dander in which case the filter could be changed as often as once a month. This would also be a good idea in homes where someone suffers with allergies or if there is a smoker in the house.
As we mentioned, surroundings can also affect the need to change the filter more regularly. If you live in a location that is surrounded by agriculture, if there is construction going on close by or if there have been wildfires in the area, these are all good reasons to change the filter more often than every 3 months.
There are also times when the filter should be replaced immediately, this would be if it gets wet or damp or if you notice it has been damaged in any way. This could cause harmful mold spores or other toxins to release into the home creating an unhealthy environment.
