How Often Should Furnace Filters Be Changed When You Have Pets?
You love your pets just as much as any member of your family. And while their furriness is perfect for snuggling up on the couch, it can end up everywhere in your house, including in your ductwork. More often than not, that extra hair winds up in your furnace air filter—meaning you’ll have to replace it more often. But how often should furnace filters be changed with pets? Below, our Bryant® experts answer that question. Call ComfortAire Heating Cooling Fireplaces for your indoor air quality needs at 715-325-3969.
Air Filter Replacement With Pets
While standard recommendations depend on the specific air filter you use, the general standard for how often to change them is every one to three months. However, when you have pets in the home, replacement should be even more frequent—approximately once every 20 days to two months. This time may vary depending on how many pets you have and the size of your house. If someone in your home has pet allergies or a respiratory issue, you’ll want to trend towards the more frequent option.
If you aren’t exactly sure how often to switch your filters out, check them intermittently to see when they become clogged enough that replacement is necessary.
What Happens If I Don’t Change My Air Filter Regularly?
Sometimes life can get in the way, and you forget about your air filter altogether. If you don’t change it regularly as a pet owner, your furnace will have to work harder to push air through your ductwork, which results in inefficiency and possibly higher energy bills.
Additionally, as the filter becomes more clogged, excess pet fur, dander, and other dirt from your home will begin to recirculate. You’ll need to clean even more to prevent buildup.
Other Ways to Combat Pet Fur
In addition to more frequent furnace air filter replacements, you can minimize pet hair in your home in a couple of other ways. While you likely already vacuum regularly, try to add an extra session on occasion to help capture excess pet fur. Installing an air purifier is another option to help trap pet dander, dust, and other allergens, keeping your indoor air fresher and more comfortable.
Upgrade Your Indoor Air Quality Today
If you’re still not sure how often furnace filters should be changed, let ComfortAire inspect it as part of our Clean & Check maintenance service. We’ll switch it out for you and offer our best recommendations for replacement frequency going forward. Get your annual service scheduled today by calling 715-325-3969 in Wisconsin Rapids or 715-342-0911 in Stevens Point.
