Find out when to replace your HRV filters for healthy indoor air and energy-efficient ventilation. Includes a practical checklist and helpful advice.

Checklist: do your HRV filters need replacing?

Many HRV systems automatically show a notification when the filters should be replaced. This often appears as a message on the display or in the controls of the ventilation system.

However, it is important to know that these systems usually do not measure the filters themselves.
The “replace filters” notification simply appears after a preset number of operating hours has been reached.

This does not automatically mean that the filters are actually dirty. In some cases, the filters are still perfectly usable, while in other situations they may need to be replaced sooner.

That is why a visual inspection of the filters always remains important.

Use the checklist below to quickly assess whether your filters are still in good condition.

Visual inspection

• - Has the filter turned grey, brown, or even black?
• - Can you see clear layers of dust, insects, hair, or sand?
• - Do the corners appear deformed, collapsed, or damaged?

System performance

- Do you notice reduced airflow in your home (a stuffier feeling)?
- Is the HRV unit making more noise than before?
- Do you notice a musty smell at the air supply?

Timing

- Has it been more than 6 months since your filters were replaced?
- Have you recently had renovation work done or a lot of dust in your home?
- Has pollen season just passed and have you often had the windows open?

If you can answer one or more of these questions with “yes”, it is wise to replace your HRV filters.

Which filters do I need?

For most homes, you will need one or a combination of the following filter types:

- G4 / ISO ePM10 filters – standard coarse filters that capture dust, sand, and larger particles.

- F7 / ePM1 or ePM2.5 filters – finer filters that offer better protection against fine dust and pollen. Ideal for people with allergies.

- Activated carbon filters – filters containing carbon that reduce odours, for example from traffic, industry, or wood-burning stoves. More about carbon filters?

f’air filters comply with current European standards and are designed to combine low resistance (pressure drop) with optimal filtration.

Why f’air HRV filters are often more energy-efficient

f’air filters are specially developed for a healthy and energy-efficient indoor climate. This means, among other things:

- Low pressure drop – less resistance, lower energy consumption.

- Consistent fit – good sealing, no “leakage” around the filter.

- High filter capacity – captures more dirt without clogging quickly.

- Optionally treated with probiotics – helps suppress unwanted microbes on the filter surface.

As a result, f’air HRV filters often perform better in practice than many “original” filters.

Tip: make life easier with a filter subscription

Do you find it difficult to keep track of when your filters need replacing? With a filter subscription, you never have to think about it again. The filters are delivered automatically at the desired times.

When selecting the right filter on our website, you can easily choose a subscription. On the product page of the filter that matches your ventilation system, you can directly indicate whether you want to order the filter once or receive it through a subscription.

If you choose a subscription:

- you automatically receive the right filters at the right time

- your ventilation system continues to perform optimally

- you reduce the risk of malfunctions and unnecessary energy consumption

This ensures clean air without having to think about it all the time.

Summary

- Replace your HRV filters as standard every 3–6 months.

- The “replace filters” notification on your ventilation system is usually based on operating hours and does not actually measure the filters.

- That is why you should always visually inspect whether your filters are truly dirty.

- Choose filters with a low pressure drop for an energy-efficient system.

- With a filter subscription, you automatically receive the right filters at the right time.

Discover f’air HRV filters and the convenience of a filter subscription.