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Home Air Filters

CHANGING YOUR AIR FILTER
(Ranked From Low to High Efficiency)

How often you need to change your filter depends upon which type of filter you are using.

Here are some basic guidelines on when to change your filter:

Traditional Fiberglass or Polyester: Monthly
Washable/Reusable: Washed out monthly and reused
Ordinary Flat or Pleated: Every 2 - 3 months
Deep Pleated: Once or twice a year
Pleated, Permanently Charged Electrostatic: Every 2 - 3 months
Electronic Air Cleaner: Cleaned regularly (once a month)

It is also important that your air filter fit your air return properly. If the air filter fits loosely into the air return, then the air flow will move around the filter and not through the filter. An improper fit is like not having an air filter at all! A suggestion for filters that are loose fitting is to use tape around the edges to secure it properly.

Helpful Hints
air filter cleans air filter hings air quality

Most People Spend About 90% of Their Time Indoors -
So Having Good Air Quality in Your Home is Incredibly Important!

  • Write the date on your filter - there will be no question as to when you changed it last!
  • If you are going away on vacation or if you are not at home all day - don't leave your system fan running. You will not benefit from leaving your fan running and you will be using up the life of your filter.
  • If your furniture is getting dustier more quickly, then it might be time to check your air filter!
  • Be sure to check your air flow once a month. Put your hand in front of the filter while the fan is running. If there isn't much air blowing on your hand, then either the air filter is dirty or your system cannot handle the restrictive nature of the higher-rated air filter.
  • Before you put in a high-rated air filter, you should check with the manufacturer of your HVAC system and ask if your unit can handle the higher-rated air filter. If you install a high-rated air filter and your unit is unable to handle it, you could do physical damage to your unit!
  • Use tape around the edges of your filter to secure it, if it is loose fitting. Having a loose fit means that air is moving around your filter and not through it. And that defeats the purpose of your filter!
 

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