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Indoor Air
How Often Should You Change Your HVAC Filter in LA? (Hint: More Often Than You Think)
Wildfire smoke, freeway dust, and pollen mean LA homes need more frequent filter changes than the rest of the country.
February 18, 2026 4 min read
Our LA-specific filter schedule
Standard 1" pleated MERV 8: every 30-45 days during fire season (June-November), every 60 days otherwise. Media filter (4-5" MERV 11-13): every 6 months, or every 3 months if you're within 1 mile of a freeway.
Always upgrade to MERV 13 if anyone in the house has allergies or asthma. Modern variable-speed blowers handle the static pressure without efficiency penalty.