Maintain all the filters around your house for longer lasting appliances, better performance and lower energy use.

It’s easy to overlook maintenance of filters around the house; after all out of sight, out mind right? However, dirty filters can lead to increased energy use, shortened appliance life and health risks. Cleaning or replacing filters will save you money in the long term. Here’s a quick overview of how often the filters around your home need attention.

Filters HVAC and AC units

Filters for whole-house HVAC systems should be changed at least every three months for energy efficiency and better air quality. More frequent changes may be necessary if you have pets, allergies or recently did a project that generated dust.

Window AC units also have filters that should be cleaned or changed once a month. Refer to the owner’s manual to locate the filter.

Kitchen appliance filters

The kitchen is home to several built-in and small appliances that use filters:

• Dishwasher: Clean the filter once a month to keep water draining properly and avoid smelly odors.
• Range hood: Cleaning frequency depends on how often you cook. If you cook every day, clean the filter once a month. Those who cook less frequently may go 3-6 months between cleanings.
• Over-the-range microwaves have either a grease filter made of metal that can be washed or a charcoal filter that gets replaced. Like range hood filters, cleaning or replacement depends on how often you cook, and it may be a monthly task.
• Refrigerator grilles: While technically not a filter, these vents often get clogged with dust, debris and pet hair. Vacuum the front grille every week . Every six months, pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum the back side to optimize cooling.
• Water filters (refrigerator and under the sink): Typically, water filters need to be changed once or twice a year, but high water consumption and water hardness may mean more frequent changes.
• Some air fryers: Timing varies by manufacturer, but many call for replacing the filter every three to six months to help eliminate odors and reduce the risk of fire. Check the owner’s manual to see if your unit has a filter.

Laundry room filters

Laundry leads to lots of lint and dust that gets trapped in appliance filters:

• Washing machine: Check the owner’s manual to see if your washing machine has a filter; not all do. However, they’re very common on front-loading models. Clean the filter every one to three months.
• Dryers: All dryers have a lint trap that should be wiped clean before every load. In addition to more efficient drying, a clean lint trap reduces the likelihood of fire.

Other filters around the house

Other common household appliances that use filters are vacuums, air purifiers and humidifiers. It’s important for respiratory health that air purifiers and humidifiers use clean filters.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for filter maintenance on all household appliances for effective and efficient operation.

Why filter maintenance matters

Regular maintenance of household filters helps appliances do what they’re designed to do, perform efficiently and keep you and your family healthy. Plus, clean filters help avoid breakdowns that lead to costly appliance repairs or replacements. Staying on top of filter maintenance will help you save money in the long run.

To remember to do filter changes and cleaning, many homeowners schedule the task—for example, on the first Saturday of the month—to ensure it’s done regularly. Also, it’s helpful to write the date in permanent ink on new filters so you know when they were last replaced.

 

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