How To Replace Ac Filter

For the typical homeowner, irresolute air conditioner filters is one of the easiest Air conditioning maintenance tasks you tin can perform. And, it's an important facet of routine heating and cooling system maintenance because a clean filter can help keep your system running efficiently and reliably for years.

As a part of your heating and air-conditioning system, the air filter plays two main roles:

Removal of airborne particles from the air that you exhale to improve indoor air quality
Keeping internal components costless from dust and debris to maintain efficiency and reliability of functioning

A dirty filter tin can cause a number of issues with your system. It tin can restrict air menses, which not only affects your comfort, but can lead to your organisation'south air handler working harder than normal. Over time, that can cause unnecessary wear and tear on organization components. In more extreme cases a clogged filter tin can lead to the system turning on and off many times in rapid succession (short cycling) or even shut down completely.

To avoid these issues, exist sure to audit, clean or replace your Air conditioning filter regularly as a part of your air conditioner maintenance routine. If yous do, yous can help keep your system running smoothly and efficiently, and hopefully avoid an unnecessary service call from your local HVAC technician. And, once it becomes a habit, you'll notice that changing an air conditioner filter is an easy, depression-toll way to maintain your comfort and hopefully save a little money down the road.

How Often You Should Be Changing Air Conditioner Filters

How Ofttimes to Modify Air Filters volition vary based on the type of filter yous have. For example, a basic, 1-inch air filter volition most likely need to be replaced more often than a larger four-inch filter. You should follow the filter manufacturer's recommendations, just a good rule of thumb is to inspect your Air-conditioning filter at least one time every 2-iii months. Boosted factors that can touch the timeline of how often you change your filter regularly include:

Thermostat settings: If you tend to savor libation settings in summertime, your system will run more ofttimes, which may decrease time betwixt filter changes. If you set the thermostat back to relieve energy, you'll run the organisation less and potentially increment time between filter changes.
Poor system installation: An undersized organization volition run longer and filters volition likely collect more pollutants. Poorly installed ductwork may invite more than airborne pollutants into the system as well. Both of these examples can potentially reduce the time between filter changes.
Pets: If y'all are a pet owner, the number, size and type of animals in your home might touch on timing between filter changes. Larger animals or longer-haired animals that shed more than will shorten the time between filter changes.
Quality/age of home: Older homes or poorly sealed homes tend to depict more dirt, dust and other airborne pollutants from outside. Especially in areas with air pollution issues, you will likely need to inspect and replace your filter more than often.

As filter inspections become a part of your routine, you might want to purchase replacement filters in advance and take a clean filter bachelor in case an inspection indicates it's time for a modify.

How to Supercede Air Conditioner Filters

Locate and Open up Air Filter Cabinet

When information technology's fourth dimension to inspect your filter, ever be sure to turn off power to the organization. Yous can practice this either at the thermostat, the breaker box, or using the shutoff switch located on/almost the indoor unit (often looks like a light switch).

The exact location of the filter tin can vary depending on the indoor HVAC unit and type of system. Almost single-home residential systems include either a vertical or horizontal indoor air handler unit (furnace or fan curl), typically in a basement, furnace/utility closet, garage or sometimes an cranium. Wait for a filter cabinet forth the sides, top or bottom of the blower cabinet. The filter may be positioned horizontally or vertically, depending on the orientation of the air handler in the indoor unit. In some cases, especially on older models, the filter may be establish inside the blower chiffonier. If yous alive in a multifamily apartment or condo unit, the filter may be located in an in-wall render air grill.

Once y'all have ensured that power is shut off and located the filter, take a moment to determine the direction air flows through the system. Some filters volition include air flow arrows to ensure proper installation. If arrows are present, accept note of the direction they are pointing so you tin properly re-install the old 1 or install the new one. At present, remove the filter from its housing and inspect it for excessive build-up of grit, clay and debris.

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Figure i: Location of the air conditioner filter on a Carrier air conditioner

Decision Fourth dimension: Clean or Replace

Sometimes when you pull out the filter, it'due south painfully obvious whether it'south time to clean or replace: if caked on dirt and grit are falling off the surface, it'due south probably restricting air catamenia and you'll want to take activeness. If information technology'due south only lightly covered, or you can nevertheless see low-cal through the filter material, y'all may want to clean the filter and so check again in another month. If information technology'south somewhere in between, y'all can default to the filter manufacturer's recommendations or use your own judgment based on your own experience.

If you are replacing or changing air conditioner filters, be sure to either measure the sometime filter or take notation of its dimensions if printed on the casing before you throw the old one abroad. You will need these dimensions to purchase a replacement if you lot don't accept a replacement filter at domicile already.

If you are cleaning the filter, be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Many filters, whether disposable or re-usable tin exist cleaned with a vacuum cleaner nozzle zipper, beingness conscientious not to tear the filter material.

Insert the Clean Filter and Turn the AC Unit of measurement On

Carefully slide the new or cleaned filter back into its housing with the airflow arrows pointing in the correct management. Properly secure the cabinet or console embrace, and so restore power to the system and turn it on.