How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter?

A furnace filter is simply the filter in your furnace that traps all the airborne contaminants in the air such as dust, dirt and other allergens. When it comes to changing your furnace filter, the most common frequency is every three months but there are other factors that play a role in this. For example, if you have pets that shed their fur, you should be replacing your filter more often. If you wait too long, you can see some harmful health effects pop up.

Key Takeaways:

A furnace filter traps contaminants such as dirt, mold and dust and prevents them from getting into the air that you breathe.
Most HVAC professionals suggest that you replace your furnace filter every three months but it depends on the filter’s thickness.
If you have pets, the fur from them will clog up the filter more quickly and therefore you will need to change it every two months.

“Pet fur and dander will clog up the filter quickly, so you’ll want to change it more often.”