Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. This way you will be able to see if the filter is dirty and needs changing.
Change your filter once a month if it is not pleated. You may prefer non-pleated filters as they often have lower energy costs, but be prepared to change them more often. Air conditioners should have new filters every 3 months in the summer, and the same goes for furnace filters in the winter. Change your filter anytime it looks dirty, damp or moldy. No matter when you changed it last, you should always get a new filter if your current one appears dirty or damp, or if it seems to be growing mold.
If you hold your air filter up to a light, you should be able to see through it easily. If not, it should be changed immediately. Part 2. Ask your HVAC installer what filter to use. If you are around when your HVAC unit is installed, ask the technician what kind of filter it takes and how to install it. If you have a window unit, you may be able to talk to a representative from the store or company that supplied it and find out which filter to buy.
Look for a label on your unit that says which filter will fit. Many air units have labels somewhere on the exterior that will say which kind of filter to buy. Check any visible parts of your unit for a label. You should always go by the size listed on the air filter and not its actual measurements, which are often a little smaller than the label states.
Take a picture of your current filter to the store. The best way to ensure that you get the right filter is to match it with the one already in use. Take out the current filter and see if it has a label or number. Take a picture of any information written on the filter and of the filter itself to help you match it in the store. You can also take the old filter itself to the store, but make sure you leave your unit turned off while the filter is removed.
Choose a filter with a MERV rating of at least 6. However, filtering more effectively also means using more energy, so a higher rating will raise your energy bill.
Buy a filter with a higher MERV rating if you are concerned about air quality. If someone in your household is allergies or asthma, or if you believe there is an unusual amount of dust or other particles in your air, you may want to opt for a filter with a MERV rating between 7 and This will cost you more in energy use, but will filter more effectively. This can be a good choice for someone with a large family or several pets.
Part 3. Locate your HVAC unit if you have central air. This is usually in a basement, closet, or other out-of-the-way space.
Try following any visible pipes or ducts through your house until it leads you to the HVAC unit, which will be a large metal contraption. Look for an air filter slot in your unit. On a HVAC unit, this will probably be somewhere between the air handler, a large box where the air is conditioned, and the plenum, another metal box located next to the unit itself. On a window air conditioner, the filter slot should be behind the grill that faces into your house.
The location of the filter slot can vary from one unit to the next, but it should look like a long, thin opening with a removable cover. Some systems have filters in the return air vents themselves, although this is usually only true of systems with 2 or fewer vents. Turn your unit off. This will also keep any dust or particles from getting into the machinery while the filter is removed. Remove the old filter. The filter should slide out easily.
Be careful when removing it, as it may be covered in dirt and dust that could come loose and make a mess if handled too roughly. You may want to carry it to the trash in a garbage bag to keep it from shedding dust and dirt on the way. Insert the new air filter. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 36, times. The filter for your AC unit helps keep the air in your home clean. It's important to change the filter regularly, as it collects dust, debris, and hair from pets and humans while pulling in air. A typical filter will be in a duct near the thermostat, though in a few cases, you may need to search a bit to find your filter.
The filter for your air conditioning unit keeps the air in your home clean, and you should replace it every 3 months. Look for small fasteners that pull out and let you open the cover. Alternatively, your filter might be inside the unit itself, behind a front panel. All you need to do is take out the old filter, replace it with the new one, and close the grate again. For more tips, including how to clean reusable air conditioning filters, read on!
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Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Purchase a new filter. You can find air filters at home improvement stores and most big box stores. If you're not sure what to buy, look at the size you already have after you pull it out. Basic air filters take care of things like dust and dirt.
You can also buy filters to help reduce allergies, as they filter out more particles. However, the more they filter out, the less efficient they are because AC has to work harder to get the air through the filter. Look for the return air duct. Usually, the return air is located near your thermostat, either on the same wall or nearby. Department of Energy Official site for the U. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source.
Pull open the return cover. Find the fasteners to pull open your grill work. Often, you'll have little fasteners that pull out and allow you to open one side of the cover. Lean the cover out towards you. Remove the old filter. Take the old filter out, being careful of the dust. Most filters will have a buildup of dust that will shake off everywhere if you're not careful.
Place the filter in the trash. Place the new filter in the vent. Check for the airflow arrow on the vent. The arrow should point inward towards the duct not outward towards the grill. It should set right into the frame of the vent, as long as you have the right size.
Clean the grill. Wipe down the grill with a damp rag to remove buildup of dust and hair. You can also use a vacuum cleaner if it's particularly dirty. Run the hose along the vent on the outside and inside to clean it. Part 2. Check inside your AC unit. With some units, especially indoor units, your filter may be inside the unit.
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