How Often Should a Window Air Conditioner Pad Be Changed?

Pets

• Dogs and cats shed hair and dander. The more pets you have, the more dander and hair there is to be removed by your air conditioner pad and the more frequently it will need to be changed. In a house with pets, change the air conditioner filter at least once per month, and examine the amount of debris caught in the filter weekly.

Household Cleaning Intervals

• The more often a home is cleaned and dusted, the less debris there will be to become trapped in an air conditioner filter. If the room containing the air conditioner is cleaned frequently, and the filter itself is vacuumed as well, a filter may last multiple months. Check the filter periodically to ascertain how clogged it has become, and replace it at least once per month in rooms with infrequent cleaning.

Allergies

• If you or other family members in the home suffer from seasonal allergies or mold and mildew reactions, change your filter more often. While a normal household without allergy issues might only change their filters once every three or four months, a home with allergies to consider may need to change their filters monthly.

Reusable Filters

• Reusable filters for window air conditioners can cut down on the cost of filter replacement in a household with pets or allergy concerns. A reusable filter can easily be vacuumed and rinsed as often as once per week during normal household cleaning. Choose a reusable filter if one is available for your make and model of air conditioner.