Your oven's owner's manual will specify the best MERV rating for your oven, and in general, filters with a MERV rating of 6 to 9 should be changed every 90 days, while those with a MERV rating of 10 through 12 should be changed every 60 days. You must change the filter at least every 90 days. However, experts recommend changing it once every 30 days if the air filter is made of fiberglass filters, which are of relatively poor quality. On the other hand, expensive pleated filters can work well with a replacement once every three months or six months.
Air filters and oven filters should be checked at least once a month. If they are dirty, they should be replaced with a clean and fresh air filter. By removing the air filter from the air conditioner, if you hold it next to a light source, you can see if the filter is dirty or clogged; if you can't see the light through the filter, it's definitely time to change it. A general rule of thumb for pleated air filters (such as those manufactured by FilterBuy) is to replace the filter every 90 days.
As the filter traps more dirt, dust and allergens from the air, filter efficiency decreases. Find out below if you should replace the filter more often. Usually, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may change depending on the location of your home (for example dry and dusty climates), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
If you have pets in the household, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20-45 days. Usually, vacation homes or empty homes that don't see much use can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you need to change the air filter. You must change the filter in your oven every 3 months. That's what most manufacturers recommend on their packaging.
But is it necessary to change an oven filter as often during a “cold South Carolina winter” as during a minnesota sub-zero winter? Let's explore each of these factors. This is by far the most important factor. The filter collects dust and debris only when the system is in operation. The longer it works, the faster the filter picks up dirt. During a cold and bitter Minnesota winter, the oven filter will need to be changed more often than during a mild Missouri winter. On the other hand, you will have to change the filter more often during a hot and humid Missouri summer than during the summer in Minnesota.
Remember that a filter also gets dirty during AC mode. Do you find pet hair in the filter of your oven? The hair fibers of dogs, cats, rabbits and other mammals are large compared to the dust and dirt that are normally trapped by the filter. That means they clog the filter and block airflow pretty quickly. The more important the clean air is, the more often the filter needs to be cleaned or changed. A coarse media filter, MERV 11 or higher, or an electronic air filter are a better choice when anyone in the household has asthma, severe allergies, or forced breathing for any reason.
The air will be cleaner than using a basic fiberglass air filter. You may also want to consider an air purifier for your system. Our Air Cleaner Guide contains comprehensive information on all types, including electronic and media air filters, how they work, which one is best for their purpose, and more. Cheap fiberglass filters require a change less often than pleated filters. Some sites get this exactly the other way around, claiming that coarser filters can last longer between changes.
That goes against the design of the filters. Coarse media filters trap more and smaller dust particles, so they obviously get clogged faster. Fine fiberglass filters don't trap as much dirt and debris, so they don't clog up as quickly. The good news is that some of those filters can be cleaned with a nylon brush and put them back in the oven or air conditioner instead of replacing them. Cleaning should be done outside or in a garage to keep dust and dirt out of your home. If you brush off dirt instead of replacing the media filter, be sure to change the filter after two or three cleanings.
Over time, brush cleaning will not remove enough deeply embedded dirt and debris. In larger houses, more air flows through the filter than in smaller houses. As air carries dust, pet hair and other debris, the filter gets dirty more quickly in a system that serves a large house. Some of you are wondering what we mean by continuous fan mode and why would a homeowner use it? There must be a setting on the thermostat such as Auto and Fan options. In automatic mode, the fan works only when the system is heating or conditioning the air in your home.
In fan mode it works all time until you turn it off. The longer system works even if it is not heating or air conditioning faster will get dirty and will need to be changed. Is continuous fan mode good idea? Here are pros and cons: first clean air by passing it through air filter more often as result it will be necessary to change filter more often; second helps balance temperatures in your home; thirdly if you have basement can get cold air out basement help cool upstairs; running fan requires electricity so you'll see increase electricity bill.
