Knowing when to change your HVAC filter is vital if you want to maintain a healthy home or office and avoid unnecessary furnace repair or replacement. If you’re unsure how to tell whether your HVAC filter needs replacing, the furnace service experts at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning have come up with a list of signs to keep an eye out for these signs.
3 Signs Your HVAC Filter Needs to be Changed
Pet Dander
The more animals you have in your household or business, the more often you will need to replace your furnace filter. When dogs and cats shed, the hair can find its way into your HVAC system, thus clogging your filter and negatively affecting your system’s performance. While you can decrease the amount of fur that enters your vents and ducts. Simply by grooming your pets regularly outdoors and cleaning indoor areas daily.
You can also use the following as a rule of thumb for determining when to change your filter if you only have one animal in your home or workspace:
- One to two-inch filter: every two months
- Four-inch filter: every four months
- Five-inch filter: every six months
If you have more than one pet, you will need to change your filter more often.
Cigarette Smoke
If you smoke indoors, you should replace your furnace filter regularly. You’ve probably noticed that tobacco smoke leaves a residue on the surfaces in your home or office, but what you may not have known is that this happens inside your HVAC system as well. Even if there are only a few people in your building that smoke indoors, here are some basic guidelines for changing your filter:
- One to two-inch filter: every month
- Four-inch filter: every two months
- Five-inch filter: every three months
Dust & Pollen
Depending on the time of year and how often you clean your home or office, fine particles of dirt, pollution, and pollen could be collecting on your furnace filter. To promote well-being, maintain your HVAC system, and avoid unnecessary furnace replacement, our team of furnace servicing experts suggest switching out your filter as follows, especially if you suffer from allergies:
- One to two-inch filter: every month
- Four-inch filter: every two months
- Five-inch filter: every three months
Get Professional Furnace Services
For furnace repair, replacement, and servicing in Keizer and Salem, Oregon, contact Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning today.
