← Back to Blog

How Often Should You Change Your AC Filter in Florida?

The standard advice is "every 90 days." That advice wasn't written for Florida. Your AC runs 8 to 10 months a year here in Apollo Beach — sometimes 24 hours a day in July and August. That filter is working three times harder than one in Ohio.

The Florida Rule: Every 30 to 60 Days

For most homes in Apollo Beach, Riverview, and Sun City Center, we recommend changing your AC filter every 30 to 60 days during the cooling season (March through November). During the mild winter months when your system runs less, every 60 to 90 days is fine.

If any of these apply to you, lean toward the 30-day end:

• Pets in the home (pet dander clogs filters fast)
• Allergies or respiratory issues
• Smokers in the household
• Recent construction or renovation
• Home near a busy road (dust and particulates)

What Happens When You Don't Change It

A dirty filter isn't just an air quality problem — it's a system killer:

• Restricted airflow forces the blower to work harder, using more electricity
• Frozen evaporator coils — the #1 service call we get in summer starts with a clogged filter
• Higher energy bills — a dirty filter can increase energy consumption by 5 to 15%
• Shortened equipment life — strain on the blower motor leads to premature failure
• Poor indoor air quality — the filter can only hold so much before it stops catching particles

Which Filter Should You Buy?

For most residential systems in our service area, we recommend a MERV 8 to MERV 11 pleated filter. Here's the breakdown:

• MERV 8 — Good basic filtration, minimal airflow restriction. Best for homes without pets or allergies.
• MERV 11 — Catches finer particles including pet dander and some mold spores. Good all-around choice.
• MERV 13+ — Hospital-grade. Can restrict airflow on older systems not designed for it. Check with us first.

Skip the cheap fiberglass filters — they catch almost nothing. And don't go above MERV 13 unless your system is designed for it. Too-restrictive filters cause the same problems as dirty ones.

How to Check Your Filter

Pull it out and hold it up to light. If you can't see light through it, it's done. If it's gray and fuzzy instead of white, it's overdue. Set a recurring reminder on your phone — most people forget until their AC stops cooling.