Why change your AC filter?
The job of the air filter is to keep debris and dust out of your HVAC equipment. It’s amazing just how much build up there is in a very short time. Just imagine the air quality in an area like Manhattan and the dust your cleaning staff has to pick up every day. Imagine the grime that accumulates if you didn’t clean for even a month. That’s how much debris there is that is clogging your air filters, and more if you haven’t been cleaning or changing your AC filter for awhile.
Here are reasons why it is important to replace air conditioner filters. Dust and dirt start getting into your air conditioner itself when the AC filter gets clogged, causing damages to the parts. You probably understand what that means, the more strain on the parts, the sooner they wear out and you’ll have to deal with a breakdown. The clogged filter will also prevent enough air flow through the system and keep it from working properly.
It’s good to know when you should change your air conditioner filter. According to ENERGYSTAR: you should be checking and changing your AC filter every month on peak seasons. That is probably more often than you want to be calling your local HVAC service worker. They love to see you, of course, but this a job you can handle by yourself if you want to do so. It is a helpful skill to know how to change your AC filter by yourself.
How to change an AC filter
Follow these simple steps to change the AC unit filter and keep your system running efficiently.
How to change the AC filter: LOCATING THE FILTER
AC air filter replacement is a simple task. Before you can do it, however, you first need to know where the AC filter is located. This can be the tricky part, because there are several places it might be. Imn some systems, for instance, the filters are located in the return air duct. This is the duct that pulls air from your space and into the air conditioner’s air handler system. But finding the filter can be challenging if you have a larger system with multiple air handlers and return ducts.
If the heating and air conditioning systems both share the same ducts, then it is also possible that the air filter for both systems is located near or inside the blower system for the furnace. If that is the case, then it is usually in front or near the bottom of the furnace. You might be able to see and access the filter without opening anything at all, or you might have to open a metal panel marked FILTER on the top or the front of the blower. Keep in mind that this panel may be attached with screws or hooks.
Your best change is to ask your trusted HVAC service tech and just let them know that you wish to learn how to change the AC filter yourself. They’ll be able to show you where to locate the filter, how to remove the old one, insert a new one, and how to buy the right filters for your system.
How to change the AC filter: USING THE CORRECT REPLACEMENT FILTER
The other part that could be potentially tricky is making sure you use the correct filters. The size of the filter is usually printed on it’s side. If you are having doubts, the easiest solution would be to ask your HVAC tech to get you a supply of the right filters, or show you the information on size of the filter so you can buy them yourself.
Also, keep in mind that you might want to get filters that do more than keep dust out of your air conditioner. If you want improvements to air quality by removing pollen, mold, and other harmful contaminants, then you will need to invest in HEPA filters that come with a MERV rating of ten or higher.
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