1" Furnace filter interval changes

angryaudifanatic wrote: ↑ It seems like 3M and various filter companies say to change the furnace filter every 3 months. However, looking at my furnace filter, it doesn't look that bad after 90 days.

What I find peculiar are statements like:

https://filterbuy.com/how-often-do-i-re ... ac-filter/

"As your filter traps more dirt, dust, and allergens from the air, filter efficiency decreases. Find out below if you should be replacing your filter more often. "

Well, no. As the filter traps more junk, the efficiency of the filter actually increases as it now can capture smaller particles than as designed.

So while the above is biased, how often should we be changing 1" furnace filters?

engineered wrote: ↑ It's the efficiency of airflow through the filter that falls, leading to reduced airflow and increased load on your blower motor.
You could try to extend your interval by vacuuming the filter and/or blowing it out. Not sure if worth the effort for the $5 1in filters I used to use. I now have a 5in filters and change around every 6 months with occasional cleanings.
Also depends on how much your run your fan. If you keep it on 24/7 it'll obviously clog sooner, and depends how dusty your house is, especially if you have pets.

angryaudifanatic wrote: ↑ I certainly defer to your expertise. Fan is on 24x7. It's just that when I hold it up to the light, it'd not even remotely close to brown/dark. That's why I am skeptical, but point is duly noted. You don't go by color at all?

adblink182 wrote: ↑ I like the feature on my ecobee thermostat that monitors the run time of the fan and gives you a notice when your filter hits a certain amount of hours. More accurate the time based (ex. Every month or whatever)

chimaican wrote: ↑ And how many hours of run time do you have it set at? This would vary for everyone, wouldn't it? Pets, no pets, smoker, non-smoker?