Regular air filter replacement can significantly reduce your energy bill and protect your HVAC system from unfiltered air, making it last longer. At Filterbuy, we offer replacement filters for all major brands that exceed OEM specifications and competitive prices. Our Filter Finder helps you find the perfect filter for your home oven or air conditioning system in the exact size and MERV rating you need. Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months.
However, this may vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets at home, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months. For households with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or empty houses that aren't used much can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months.
If you have an electronic media filter, you don't need to worry about changing it every 1 to 3 months. You can wait 6 months to a year before replacing it. Make sure to replace it with the filter of the exact model, which may require ordering it on the brand's website to get an exact match. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating for an air filter measures how effectively the filter prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and reaching the air stream.
Most home improvement stores sell HVAC filters ranging from MERV 1 to MERV 13, although CR has tested models as tall as the MERV 16. When replacing the air filter, most people will find that the nominal size or dimensions are located on the edge of their current air filter. Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than that recommended by the boiler or air conditioner manufacturer may affect its performance. At Filterbuy, we offer a wide range of sizes, thicknesses and MERV air filter ratings so you can find reliable aftermarket air filters for residential use as well as for commercial or industrial applications. As a provider of home warranty plans, we always want homeowners to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the correct filters. If you provide proper filter maintenance and your air conditioner or heater breaks down, your home warranty plan will repair or replace your HVAC unit.
