When Should I Change the Filters Throughout My Home?
Q: When should I change the filters throughout my home?
A: Just like it’s important to test household items, like your smoke alarm, on a regular basis for safety, Family Handy Man reminds us to check filters throughout our homes on everything from our furnace to our vacuum cleaner as part of our seasonal home maintenance tasks.
Here’s a look at when to change your home’s filters (including some that are typically overlooked) to help them run as safely and efficiently as possible to keep dirt, dust, mold and pollutants from the air that come into your home.
FURNACE OR HVAC UNIT
The best-known filters are usually the panels that slide into a gas-fired furnace or central heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests using a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13 or higher. Choose the highest rating your system can accommodate and follow the manufacturer’s suggestion for when to change filters. The EPA suggests replacing them every two to three months.
PORTABLE AIR CLEANER
The EPA says studies show portable air cleaners (or air purifiers or sanitizers) can make small improvements in cardiovascular and respiratory health by reducing indoor pollutants. Some models tell you when it’s time to wash, vacuum or replace filters. In general, a HEPA filter should be changed every year, pre-filters last 30 days and carbon filters can last 3 - 6 months. Clean permanent filters every three months and replace when damaged.
REFRIGERATOR FILTER
If you have a water filter in your refrigerator for ice makers or water dispensers, change them every six months (or as recommended by the manufacturer) to remove contaminants such as lead, trace pharmaceuticals and microbial cysts. Most are good for 400 gallons of water.
DRYER FILTER
Most modern dryers are good about reminding users to clean the lint trap with each use, but it’s good to also give it an inspection to make sure there are no holes, requiring a replacement. Also scrub them with soap and water every six months to a year, to remove any build-up of residue (such as build-up from dryer sheets) that can block air flow. Give the ventilation hose an inspection, too, to make sure lint has not gotten loose, which could be a potential fire hazard for your duct work.
HUMIDIFIER FILTER
Disposable humidifier filters or pads help absorb mineral deposits and impurities from water and particles and bacteria from air. Portable humidifier filters should be changed every three months at least -more often if you use it daily and/or have hard water. For built-in whole-house humidifiers, change once or twice a year, as you do your home maintenance rounds.
VACUUM CLEANER FILTER
Vacuum cleaners suck up and trap allergens, hair, dirt and more from flooring and upholstery with built-in bags or filters helping to contain the fine particles - especially with HEPA models. Don’t let bags get more than three-quarters full, and change filters on bagless vacuums every three months. Once or twice a year, it’s also wise to clean out the canister, check the belt for cracking and make sure the hose isn’t clogged.