For basic 1″–3″ air filters, manufacturers typically tell you to replace them every 30–60 days. If you suffer from light to moderate allergies, you could install a better air filter or replace them even more regularly.

You may not be ready to tackle car maintenance jobs like changing the oil or replacing spark plugs, but changing your vehicle’s engine air filter is an easy job that you can do. Doing this job yourself can result in big savings. It is a good idea to check the air filter at each oil change.

If your air filter is brand new, it will look white or off-white. Over time, as it accumulates dust and dirt, it will turn darker in color. When examining your air filter, you should do it in the light of day or with a flashlight, since pollen and dust cannot easily be seen.

Without a filter there to trap air pollutants, your home’s air quality will deteriorate. That’s because the same air contaminants will just circulate through your home. But what’s worse is that you’re likely bringing even more pollutants into your home on a daily basis.

One-inch pleated filters quickly get dirty because they’re designed to catch more airborne contaminants. Think of 1-inch pleated air filters as a fine fish net with a very small gaps: it catches everything from big to small fish, but that also means the net fills up with fish faster (say that 3 times fast).

When the air filter gets too dirty, it will get clogged and the engine won’t be able to suck up enough air to the combustion chamber. While this rarely results in permanent damage, neglecting the air filter for long enough may cause the engine to stop running completely.

Air filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or so, more often in dusty driving conditions. A dirty air filter might appear clean but should still be replaced at the recommended intervals. A new air filter will increase gas mileage, reduce emissions, allow optimal air flow and improve engine performance.

Not only do clean air filters improve your home’s air quality, but they also increase energy efficiency. Clogged and dirty air filters require your HVAC system to work harder to push air through your system. This results in higher amounts of energy usage, which leads to higher energy bills.

When cleaning your car’s air filter, it’s important to use a cleaner that will thoroughly remove dirt and debris without petroleum-based chemicals, which can damage or dissolve the filter materials. You should avoid using solvents or kerosene for this reason.

Clean or Replace? : Generally, your car’s air filters can be cleaned a few times before being replaced. Depending on the type, you can clean them with a vacuum, or with a damp cloth. However, air filters usually aren’t very expensive, so if there’s any question about their condition, full replacement is a good idea.

It’s not recommended. If you want to reuse filters, they make a specific washable type. Basically they are oiled cotton. It costs more to buy initially and the cleaning procedure requires “degreasing” and then re-oiling it.