How long does a filtrete filter last

Do you know how often to change your HVAC system’s air filter? There is no one set answer for all Grand Rapids area homes, as many different variables come into play affecting the service life of a furnace filter.

How often you change your home’s HVAC air filter depends on how long your filter is expected to last and the different qualities of your home that impact the filter. When in doubt, call A-1 Mechanical for expert advice and indoor air quality services for your Michigan home.

How Long Do Air Filters Generally Last?

As mentioned above, there is no set service life for an air filter – it requires an evaluation of many different aspects. Air filter manufacturers include a recommendation for how often to change air filters. You can find this information on the product insert that comes with a new filter. Furnace filters are expected to last anywhere from one month to one year.

• 1-inch and 2-inch air filters should be replaced about every one to three months
• 3-inch and 4-inch filters require replacement after six to nine months
• 5-inch and 6-inch air filters need a change after nine months to one year

Factors Affecting How Often to Change HVAC Air Filters

The manufacturer’s recommendation isn’t the final answer on how frequently you should change your furnace filter. The biggest factors affecting filter service life are detailed below.

Pets in the Home

Indoor pets shed hair and dander that easily become airborne in your home. These materials clog air filters faster. Homes with one pet should generally replace filters after two months; those with more than one pet may need to replace the filter monthly.

Heating & Air Conditioning System Use

How frequently your heating or air conditioning system is in use impacts filter service life as well. During periods of the year when HVAC equipment runs often, air is circulated more times through the home compared to times when the HVAC system is used sparingly. More cycles mean more passes through the filter and opportunities to trap contaminants, so filters typically fill up faster during high-use periods. 

At the peak of summer and winter, air filters need to be changed more frequently than required during the spring, fall and the milder months.

Allergy & Asthma Sufferers

If there are allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, clean air is critical to their health and comfort indoors. You’ll need to change your HVAC filter more frequently when allergy and asthma sufferers are present. Changing the filter on a more frequent basis ensures the filter has the available surface area needed to filter out the contaminants that trigger symptoms among your loved ones. 

Have Questions? A-1 Mechanical Is Here to Help!

Estimating how often to change an air filter can be tricky because of so many different variables at play. If you’re unsure how often your furnace filter requires replacement, call A-1 Mechanical! Our knowledgeable team of NATE-certified HVAC system technicians is always available to assess the indoor air quality needs of your home and help you create a plan for cleaner air indoors, from an accurate filter replacement schedule to installing advanced filtration solutions.

If you’re looking for an air purifier or just trying to learn more about them, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, “How long do air purifier filters last?” Since almost all air purifiers require filters to remove contaminants from the air, the life span of these filters is critically important. Here are the basics of what you need to know about air purifier filter life.

  How Do Different Filters Work and Wear Out?

There are various different kinds of air purifier filters, each of which lasts for a different amount of time based on how it removes impurities from the air around you. A HEPA filter, for example, uses thin layers of a porous material to capture small particles in the air. The filter wears out as this material becomes too full to continue capturing more airborne particles.

Carbon filters, on the other hand, work on a similar but slightly different principle. Using chemically activated carbon, these filters capture gaseous impurities, like odors and VOCs, from the air. Like HEPA filters, however, these filters will eventually reach their maximum capacities and no longer be able to remove more gases from your household air.

Air purifier filter life will depend upon a variety of factors, including filter type, size and usage. Many larger HEPA filters, like those in the Amaircare 3000, can last up to 5 years under the right conditions, though 2-3 is more realistic in spaces with larger amounts of particulate matter in the air. For carbon filters, the average lifespan is generally 3-5 years. Be aware, however, that not all units have the same specifications. There are air purifiers that will need more frequent filters changes, so be sure to carefully read the manual for your air purifier to determine its filter life.

  When to Replace Filters

There are several different ways to know it’s time to replace an air purifier filter. Some units, like the Field Controls TRIO, come equipped with an indicator light that will let you know when it’s time for your filter to be changed. If your unit doesn’t have this feature, you can simply keep track of the time since your last change and replace the filter after the recommended interval.

Another option, if you don’t want to keep track of multi-year filter change intervals, is to use the US Air Purifiers filter change calendar tool. Simply enter your air purifier’s information and your email, and you’ll receive an automated email alert when it’s time for you to change your filter.

Air purifier filter life can vary, which is why it’s crucial to know how often you need to change the filter in your unit. Still have questions about air purifiers, filters, or how long the filters in your air purifier last? Feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you get the replacement filter you need.