HVAC Maintenance: How to Alter Indoor Air Filters

One of the easiest HVAC maintenance tasks homeowners can tackle is changing indoor air filters. It doesn't crave a lot of tools and takes just six steps.  Irresolute your filters regularly tin prevent

  • dirty air circulating in your dwelling house,
  • excess wear and tear on your HVAC system, and
  • unexpected air conditioning and heating shutdowns.

HVAC experts recommend irresolute indoor air filters once every three months, more often if yous have pets. Information technology's a good dominion of thumb to change them every fourth dimension the seasons alter. Order your filters online for the year, and y'all'll always have a supply ready to get!

Best of all, information technology takes about 10 minutes per filter, in one case yous accept your filters in hand and are gear up to get.

Here'southward what you need to go started:

  • Disposable air filters 8-eleven MERV (any brand). Nosotros don't recommend the multi-layer, reusable filters considering it'south difficult to get them clean enough for re-use.
  • Vacuum cleaner and/or dust rag.
  • Pen or mark to certificate the date of installation.

If yous have a ductless organization in place of or in addition to your central air and heating system, we have a DIY tutorial showing how to clean the reusable filters in the hanging unit on the wall.

Step 1 – Locate the Render Air Vents

Most central air and heating systems accept at least one return air vent, sometimes more. This means you may take multiple filters to change.

If y'all're non sure which vents these are, these are the larger vents that take air in — not the ones that blow it out. They are oft located on the wall. Occasionally they are located in the ceiling.

vacuum-air-return-grill-to-remove-dirt

Step 2 – Vacuum or grit the render air vent cover

If you oasis't replaced your air filters in a while, it's possible that you may need to vacuum the return air vent cover.  If y'all don't have a vacuum handy, you tin can always use a damp dust rag and clean off the dust from the return air vent cover.

If information technology is located on the wall close to the floor, the lesser may exist especially dusty.

dirty air filter and clean air filter side by side

Step 3 – Open the air vent grill and remove the old filter

Once yous are finished cleaning the exterior of the air vent comprehend, it'due south time to open it up. At present you can remove the one-time filter and throw it away.

If yous compare the old filter to the new filter side by side, you tin see the divergence a new filter will make. If y'all accept a pet like we do, it can become pretty furry in simply three months.

write the air filter installation date on the filter

Stride iv – Write the installation appointment on the new filter

With a pen or permanent marking, write the date of installation on the filter itself. Many filters even have a spot printed right on the filter to remind y'all to write down the appointment.

Writing the date in large letters helps y'all downwards the road when you're not certain if it is fourth dimension to supercede it not. It's piece of cake to pop open up the air vent comprehend and peek within. While yous're at it, set a reminder on your favorite print or online calendar for 3 months time from at present.

look for the air flow indicator on the air filter

Step 5 – Look for the air catamenia direction indicator when y'all install the new filter

Each filter has an air flow direction indicator so yous're setting the filter in the the right direction. Call up that return air vent sucks in air, then it's important to place them the correct way (front to back) for the best results.

Now that you see how your system accept in or "breathes in" air, you see why having a filter that is too strong with a loftier MERV tin can be detrimental to your HVAC system's health.  When your air conditioner and heater can't accept in enough air, it can cause the whole arrangement to breakdown.

If allergies, mold and indoor air quality are a concern, ask your HVAC technician for other options, such as UV lights, media filters and whole firm air purification systems. There are limits to what passive filtration can do, which is why active air purification systems are more effective at addressing indoor air quality.

install-the-new-air-filter-then-close-the-return-air-cover

Step vi – Install the filter and close the return air vent cover

Fix the filter in the same spot every bit the old one and then information technology covers the air intake completely. It's important to go the right size filter so the filters are able to practice their chore. They keep your HVAC equipment clean on the inside which also keeps dust, pollen, hair and other large particles out of the circulating air in your home.

Once you have the filter in, pop the comprehend closed, and you're done!

Need assist with HVAC maintenance?

Changing indoor air filters is an easy DIY job for most people to attain. With a niggling coaching even your teenager tin assistance you with this task, which will come up in handy when they have a identify of their own.

We recommend that a professional HVAC technician service your air conditioner and heater twice a year – in the fall and in the spring – to ensure your air conditioner and heater is ready for the wintertime's arctic and the summer'southward rut.  This is why we offer a Peace of Mind Protection program, an HVAC scheduled service contract, to our customers to brand remembering this domicile improvement task easier. Information technology's besides a good time to ask questions about any indoor air quality concerns you have, since there are many options available.

Contact Rob and Kenny at Terry's A/C & Heating at (281) 495-7830 to get on their schedule for the twenty-four hour period. Notice out more than about our family-endemic HVAC company that operates in Richmond, Katy, Fulshear, Carbohydrate Land and Southwest Houston, Texas. We aim to be your indoor comfort concierge.