How to Change Your
AC Filter and/or Furnace Filter
The
most common asked question we are asked is how to replace the AC
Filter or Furnace Filter in the HVAC system.
We hope the following explanation
is beneficial. We invite your suggestions.
First,
let's take a look at where your AC Filter and/or Furnace Filter is
located if you are unsure. You should consult the manual that came with the HVAC
system if possible, however, many homeowners do not have access to this information.
As a result, if you are unsure where your AC Filter and/or Furnace Filter
is located, here are some suggestions:
Locating Your AC Filter and/or Furnace Filter
AC Filters or Furnace Filters in the majority of homes are generally located
behind an air intake grate in your home’s walls, ceiling, basement or attic.
These often look like large vents and the air from the room in which this vent
is located brings air into the HVAC system. In other words, the air flows into
them, rather than out of them when the heating or cooling system is blowing air.
They may also be located in or near the air conditioner or furnace. Many homes
may have more than one, and they may be different sizes.
If you did not find your ac filter or furnace filter, here are some other places
to look:
* At the central air return register, grille located
in a wall or ceiling if your system uses centralized air returns instead of
individual room-air return ducts. There may be several central return points, depending
on the design of your system. If there are more than two, chances are
the filter was placed at the air handler instead of at these grilles. Unfortunately
that means that the return ducts themselves become more soiled with dust and
debris from the building.
* At the air handler look
for a slot which has a removable cover. The slot may be just an inch or so wide
if 1" thick filters are used, or it could be several inches wide if a wide high-capacity
pleated or similar filter was used. The return air plenum on an attic
or basement air conditioner blower unit will usually be a large metal enclosure
about the same dimensions in width and height as the air conditioner blower
unit itself. Look for a filter slot right where the return plenum contacts the
blower fan assembly.
* At a basement air handler we also
look for an air filter at the return air plenum which is often next to the bottom
of the air handler if the system is an "up-flow" unit (or vice versa for the
less common case of return air entering at the top of the air handler and exiting
at its bottom).
* Next to an electrostatic air cleaner:
if your air conditioning air handler has an electrostatic air cleaner installed,
look for the air filter, if there is one, next to the electrostatic air
cleaner. In addition, the electrostatic air cleaner, which is a type of particle
incinerating filter itself, needs to be removed and cleaned periodically. Check
with your unit's manufacturer for cleaning interval and procedures. Often
the electrostatic unit can be cleaned inside a dishwasher. Often there is also
a thin metal washable air filter installed along with the electrostatic air cleaner.
*Make sure you find all of the filters as some systems have multiple filters and
even multiple types of filters installed, such as a fiberglass or pleated paper
filter, a washable filter, and an electrostatic air cleaner. These last two are
cleaned, not replaced, when they're dirty.
Change your air filters, at minimum, every 3 months when the system is
in operation. IMPORTANT: Turn off the system before replacing filters!
AC Filter and/or Furnace Filter Installation
If you are unsure about the Arrow on one side of your AC Furnace filter when you go to replace it, there is a simple
way to determine the proper way to install your AC Furnace filter.
The
arrow points in the direction of the air flow. You will want to make sure
to install it correctly because it will impact the quality of the air filtration,
but more importantly, it affects the support structure built into the air filter.
On
our AC Furnace filters, there is a supporting wire grid that
is mounted next to the air filter material. The wire grid supports the AC Furnace
filter media and should be on the side that is opposite to the flow of air
so that air that passes through the air filter does not distort the air filter
media.
The air flows into the air conditioning system and out into
the room through ducting. You will find the air filter right before the air flows
into the equipment or right after it leaves the system. If the air filter is
located just before it goes into the air conditioning system, the air flow is
toward the equipment, therefore the air filter's arrow must point in the direction
of the equipment. If the air filter is located after the air flows out of
the air conditioning system, the arrow must point in the opposite direction of
the equipment.
We hope this information is helpful to you. You can also see an informative video by clicking on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4i__W4idIc&feature=related
As you will see in the video, it is suggested you purchase a high-quality
hvac filter that is pleated, not a rinseable hvac filter or a fiberglass hvac
filter.
Gr8Filters sells only the highest quality
MERV12 rated hvac filter to insure the most impurities are removed from your indoor
air and to provide the greatest protection from your hvac system.
If you are still unsure about installing your hvac filter properly,
you should consult a licensed hvac professional.
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