How long do merv 13 filters last

This is a loaded question, but one that we get on a daily basis. The type of furnace air filter you need varies based on your situation. Someone who travels for a living and has no kids/pets may not have to change the filter very often simply because the system rarely operates. Where as, a home with a family of six, two dogs, and three cats, may require a higher grade filter that will need changed more often.

I have a family of four and two dogs. We have a 4″ MERV 13 pleated filter in our home. However, we are soon upgrading to a new air purification system that will contain a MERV 16 filter. My daughter and I have bad allergies and our dogs shed a lot. We typically change our filter every 4 to 6 months.

Don’t understand MERV? Don’t worry, most people don’t know what it is, and that’s ok. MERV is “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value” and it is how they rate filters.

What Kind of Filter Should I Get?

Again, this depends on your situation. I suggest that you have one at least MERV 8 or higher. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 1″, 4″, or 6″ filter, just make sure that it’s MERV 8 or higher. If someone in the home has bad allergies I would suggest a MERV 13 to 16. If you’re simply worried about dust, I would suggest a MERV 11 or higher. And, for those of you who don’t care, stick with the MERV 8. It will at least protect your heating and cooling system. Oh, and don’t waste your money on the cheap blue “hog hair” style filters. I know they’re only $.70 at your local hardware, but those “boulder catchers” won’t catch the allergens and debris that will clog up your secondary heat exchanger and your air conditioning coil.

“Someone told me not to install the more efficient filters because they’re too restrictive.”

This is a typical high efficient filter.

This is true! They ARE restrictive if you don’t change them often enMERV 16 Filterough. A MERV 16 filter is the most restrictive and will likely need to be changed every 3 to 6 months. Yes, they are more expensive than the average filter, but you get what you pay for. I change our MERV 13 filter every 4 months. We can get 6 months out of it, but we keep the fan “on” on our furnace. Which leads me to another matter, your filter is only doing it’s job when the fan on your furnace is operating. You can’t filter the air when there is no air movement. If you keep your fan on auto, that’s fine, you will get more life out of your filter because you’re not using it!

Most people either go by the packaging on the filters to determine how often to change their filters, while others routinely change their filter monthly, seasonally, or just “when they remember”.

It is a general recommendation that you should change your air filter in your home every 30 days when using less expensive fiberglass filters. High-end pleated filters can last as long as 6 months, but these typical guidelines assume average use and don’t take into account the size and type of filter.

As a general rule, you’ll want to replace pleated air filters and furnace filters in your home every 90 days. The longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust and allergens are trapped clogging the filter and decreasing their efficiency. If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you’ll want to replace your filter more often than may be recommended. Find out below if perhaps you should be replacing your filter more often than you may think.

Does anyone in your house have allergies and/or asthma?

According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), “indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality. Outdoor air can contain harmful pollution. But indoor air can actually be worse than outdoor air.” If there is an asthmatic or allergy sufferer in your home, they are much more sensitive to airborne particulates than those that don’t suffer. If you answer yes to this question, you’ll want to change your filter every 6 weeks to keep your indoor air quality at its best.

Do you have any pets?

If you are a cat or dog owner you know all too well that odor can build up after time and that shedding is at its worst during the change of seasons. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll want to change your air filter every 2 months, especially when winter turns to spring and summer turns to fall.

Do you have younger children?

When you have young children in your home, you want to keep your indoor air quality at its best. To keep your air quality under control and your home clean, you’ll want to replace your filter at a minimal interval of every 2-3 months.

Things That Can Affect the Lifespan of your HVAC Air Filter:

1. How often you use your heating and cooling system

If you live in a mild climate and only use your AC or furnace a few hours a day, one filter could potentially last you a whole season or up to an entire year. On the flip side, if you’re running your HVAC system on a nearly constant basis, the filter will need to be changed every few weeks (especially if you are using fiberglass filters).

2. The size of your house

If you live in a “smaller home”, your air conditioners and furnaces are required to pump less air for the same amount of temperature change, which could mean fewer filter changes. However, the smaller the appliance used to cool the small space often come with smaller filters, therefore you may need to change the filter as often as a filter in a larger home.

3. The air quality in your home

Your air filter’s and furnace filter’s replacement cycle is also affected by the air outside and within your home. If you have poor air quality outside or pets inside, you’ll need to replace your air filter more frequently.

How to Tell When You Need to Change Your HVAC Air Filter

All of the air that circulates through your HVAC system, to either heat or cool your home, will eventually pass through the air filter. This is why it is so VERY important to keep your air filters clean and change them regularly. Dirty, clogged air filters can:

• Cause HVAC system malfunctions and equipment damage.
• Reduce airflow inside the HVAC system, making the fans work harder and wearing them out more quickly.
• NOT remove particulates and contaminants as effectively as they should, therefore releasing these back into your indoor air (or the air that you and your family breath).
• Cause contaminates to built up in your duct work.
• Cause the HVAC equipment to work harder, increasing your home’s energy usage and your monthly electric bill payments.

Air filters and furnace filters should be checked at least once a month. If they are dirty they should be changed with a fresh clean air filter. When removing the air filter from the air-handler, if you hold it up to a light source you will be able to see if the filter is dirty or clogged – if you can’t see the light through the filter, then it’s definitely time for it to be changed.

US Home Filter Carries AC Filters to Fit All HVAC Units

No matter which HVAC system you have, every unit needs a quality filter that fits properly in order to keep your indoor air quality clean and your unit running at its maximum efficiency. US Home Filter can supply you with the best and most efficient HVAC filter available! Changing the filter is as important as changing the oil in your car and US Home Filter makes filters that fit all AC/HVAC units. From standard to custom air filters, to whole-house filters, grille filters and humidifier filters, we have all of your filter needs covered!

Selecting the filters that are just right for your home can be difficult and confusing at times. At US Home Filter we understand this, which is why we offer an experienced staff to help answer any questions you may have. For personal assistance with your air filter needs, please contact us now online or call us at (855) 237-1673 and we will do our very best to assist you in selecting the right filter for your individual needs.We want to earn your business and we guarantee your satisfaction! Take advantage of our quality products, vast selection, low prices, and enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every air filter order within the Contiguous USA.

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