Particles as small as a grain of salt can pass through a damaged air filter and cause significant damage to internal engine parts, such as cylinders and pistons, which can be costly to repair. That's why it's essential to replace your air filter regularly. When you have a clean filter, your equipment will work more efficiently, reducing energy bills. Regularly changing the filter will keep the HVAC system clean so you don't have to work too hard to maintain airflow throughout the house. Similar to vehicle air filters, cabin air filters should also be changed regularly as part of routine vehicle maintenance.
To help keep your HVAC system working properly for a long time, you'll need to keep up with filter changes, just as you would with your car's oil change. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. An air filter subscription service like Filterme will send you the filter as often as you choose as a reminder to change it, without the hassle of measuring it or going to the store. The cabin air filter traps dust, pollen, hair, particles, pollution, exhaust fumes, animal waste (yes, animals like to live under the hood sometimes), basically all kinds of substances you don't want to get into your nose, mouth, and lungs.
If you are coughing and sputtering, or if you vibrate excessively when you turn the engine, it is likely time for a new air filter. Most landlords and renters know that they should change their air filter every one to three months to keep the air inside their home clean; however, there are several other reasons to replace the filter on a routine basis. If the engine air filter is particularly dirty, it could prevent the car from keeping its air-fuel ratio under control. A clean air filter will help your engine perform better; in newer cars, it can increase acceleration by up to 11%, and in older cars it can improve mileage by up to 14%. Fortunately, replacing your car's cabin air filter is even easier and cheaper than changing your engine air filter.
It's not used to purify the air you breathe but to protect the sensitive components of your HVAC system. A good indication that the air filter needs to be replaced is black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes when you start the engine. But what happens if you let that time go by a little? Before we talk about WHEN you should change your air filter, let's start with the WHY. Some manufacturers of newer car models have changed the engine design to make more efficient use of space, and sometimes that means placing air filters in more difficult-to-reach places, which can slow down the process. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days or 3 months.