It’s important to have a clean oven filter so the air you breathe is clean and free of dust particles. In addition, fresh filters will keep your HVAC system working more efficiently and keeping your energy bills low. The purpose of an oven filter is to keep dust, dirt and particles out of the air and to allow clean air into your oven system.
If you think your oven filter needs checking, look to the experts like furnace-repair-calgary.ca for more information on how to get it checked and repaired.
Frequency of exchange
While a general rule is that you should replace your oven air filter once every 90 days, depending on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your neighborhood, you may need to do it more often, although it varies from time to time. It also depends on your lifestyle and the type of filter used.
Tell-tale clues that signal a change
Two houses in the neighborhood don’t have to be alike; Hence, in some cases, you may need to ignore the guidelines and replace your oven filter a little earlier than recommended. One important note is that your furniture is still covered in dust even though you cleaned it a day or two ago.
Such a build-up of dust occurs when your oven filter becomes clogged, indicating an upcoming replacement. Also, your oven may run longer than necessary (or sooner). One look at your filter will give you the answer: if it’s gray and dusty, you need to have it changed.
Look behind the return air vent and you can’t miss it. However, in some ovens the filter can be built into a slot with a sliding mechanism.
Make sure you have a garbage bag handy as the old filter may be dirty. You can dispose of your old filters with your normal trash. After replacing the filter, mark the date on your calendar and watch for the next change.
Frequency of exchange
While there isn’t a hard and fast rule for replacing your oven filter, the general rule applies every 90 days. However, if you can’t remember when you last changed the filter, you can have it changed at the start of each new season. Even in summer you may need to change the filter as the dust can enter your air conditioner and clog it and reduce its efficiency.
Dense filters need to be replaced more frequently
Your filter has a Minimum Efficiency (MERV) between 1 and 16. For residential stoves, the recommended range is between 6 and 12. Filters with ratings below 6 do not completely block airborne particles and ratings above 12 for clinical environments such as hospitals or laboratories.
A higher MERV rating indicates better blocking efficiency of the filter, with ratings around 12 being good for blocking microscopic viruses. The disadvantage of such household filters is that they often become clogged and require cleaning or switching.
Clogged filters are not recommended
It is not advisable to use a clogged filter for too long. You must replace it immediately as it can affect the air quality in your home. In addition, they will overload your oven and use more energy, which will shorten the life of your oven and increase your energy bills.
Check your stove’s MERV rating (read the stove’s instruction manual). If it is between 6 and 9, it is advisable to change the oven filter every 90 days. If the rating is between 10 and 12 (probably not for a household stove), you may need to change the filter every 60 days. If you have additional questions about MERV assessment and filter replacement, reach out to experts like furnace-repair-calgary.ca for more information.
The filter life depends on the furnace usage
If you live in a relatively warm region, you may not be able to operate your stove all winter. In such cases, the 90-day reminder to change your oven filter will work. However, if you live in the northern region, you may need to change your filter every 60 or even 30 days depending on usage and other conditions.
Flat filter vs. pleated filter
There are two types of oven filters – flat and pleated. Flat filters tend to clog quickly compared to pleated filters. While a flat filter has less surface area, a pleated filter has more surface area and is more efficient because it offers more space for dust.
However, if you use a flat filter, you may need to change it every 30 days. In comparison, a pleated filter can last up to 90 days before it needs to be replaced.
Look for these signs and call experts to swap them out immediately if you notice them.
