How Often to Change Your AC Filter in Summer: Complete Guide

Keeping cool when the San Diego summer heats up can be challenging under the best of circumstances. The blazing sun and warm, humid nights put plenty of strain on your air conditioner without the added burden of inadequate maintenance. According to HVAC experts, one of the simplest ways to maintain your AC is to know how often to change the AC filter.

How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter in Summer?

Determining how often to change your AC filter depends on whether you have a new HVAC system or an aging unit, where you live, and your cooling needs. The type of summer, the presence of pets, and sensitivity to allergens are other significant factors. Use the information below as a rule of thumb for how often to change an HVAC filter.

• During peak summer months in San Diego, change the filter at least every month.
• If you use your AC infrequently and don’t have pets or allergies, you can go about twice as long, or 60 days.
• If we’re experiencing an unusually mild summer and you’re away often, changing the filter every three months can be adequate.

On average, you should change your AC filter every 30 to 60 days in summer if you use the air conditioning consistently. However, these general guidelines for how often to change an AC filter should be customized for your cooling situation. So, when should you replace your air filter?

Factors Influencing How Often to Change Your AC Filter

Changing your AC filter often enough ensures your system can beat the heat and avoid excess strain in even the hottest weather. How often an AC air filter needs changing can vary greatly. From the types of filters you use to your home or business’s unique cooling needs, many factors determine how often to change an HVAC filter.

Filter Type

• Fiberglass filters are one of the most common residential AC filters and should be changed every 30 days.
• Pleated filters offer superior filtering qualities compared to fiberglass filters and can last from three to six months, depending on use.
• HEPA filters are designed to capture mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants and can last up to six months under typical circumstances.
• Electrostatic HEPA filters are ideal for increased particle capture, are often washable and reusable, and can last up to 90 days.

The Climate

• Not surprisingly, your AC cycles more often and runs longer during the summer.
• When we experience higher than usual humidity in San Diego, filters can be more prone to moisture and bacteria.
• An increase in pollen, mold spores, and other contaminants can potentially clog an air conditioner filter and aggravate allergies.

Unique Challenges

• In homes or businesses with occupants who are prone to asthma or allergies, more frequent filter changes may be necessary to maintain healthy air quality.
• Air conditioners in homes with pets have to filter shedded hair and dander along with common contaminants, leading to the need for more frequent filter changes.
• Homes or businesses in especially dusty areas or those with high pollution will typically benefit from frequent AC filter changes.

Your property and its HVAC system are significant investments that require proper maintenance and timely repairs to protect them. When deciding how often to change your AC’s filter, it’s vital to know that you can’t do it too often, but doing it too infrequently can be disastrous.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Change Your AC Filter

If you can’t remember the last time your filter was changed, it’s time to learn how often to change your AC filter. Whether you’re changing your AC filter because of musty odors, lack of cooling, or it’s time for scheduled maintenance, the steps are the same.

1. Turn off the power for your own safety and that of your HVAC.
2. Locate your air conditioner’s air filter, usually found behind a grill.
3. Unlatch the return air grill cover and wipe it off with a damp cloth.
4. Clean between the slats by wrapping the end of a screwdriver with the damp cloth.
5. Remove the old filter and discard it in a trash can.
6. Determine the correct direction for proper airflow by identifying the arrow printed on the filter.
7. Insert the new air filter with the arrow pointing away from you.
8. Find the airflow direction.
9. Vacuum the area around the air filter housing if it has dirt or dust buildup.
10. Secure the grill and call it a day.

Most San Diego HVAC companies recommend scheduling air conditioner maintenance each spring, before the California heat rolls in. There is no substitute for ongoing maintenance, so learning how often to change your HVAC filter is essential.

Tips for Keeping Your AC Working Properly in the Summer

What happens if you don’t change your air filter? Trust the pros—you don’t want to find out what lack of maintenance can do to your heating and cooling system. In addition to learning how often to change an AC filter, there are a few other steps you can take to maintain your HVAC’s cooling system.

Reevaluate Your Climate Control

If you leave your thermostat on the same cooling temperature throughout the summer, you may be missing opportunities for increased efficiency. A programmable thermostat is ideal for maintaining different temperatures when you’re home or away and during the day or night.

Help Your AC Keep Its Cool

Ceiling fans are an excellent choice for shouldering some of the cooling burden, taking some of the strain off your AC. Closing blinds and curtains and not using heat-producing appliances like ovens and dishwashers during the day are other ways to help your HVAC.

Lower the Indoor Humidity

Lowering humidity levels in your home or business is a sure way to make you feel cooler, allowing for higher temperature settings. Taking shorter showers, ensuring adequate sealing on windows and doors, and using a dehumidifier are a few ways to lower humidity.

Invest in Professional HVAC Services

If you aren’t comfortable with changing AC air filters or other HVAC maintenance, a professional AC service in San Diego can help. From filter changes to timely repairs to installing heating and cooling systems, trusted HVAC services are an investment you can count on.

Bill Howe HVAC has helped San Diego keep cool and stay warm since 1980 with expert technicians and hometown customer care. Want to learn more about how often to change your HVAC filter and other maintenance tasks? Contact us online or call 1-800 BILL HOWE (245-5469) today, and we’ll help you stay cool and comfortable all summer long.