HVAC Maintenance: How to Change Indoor Air Filters

Ane of the easiest HVAC maintenance tasks homeowners tin tackle is changing indoor air filters. It doesn't require a lot of tools and takes but six steps.  Changing your filters regularly can prevent

  • muddy air circulating in your home,
  • excess article of clothing and tear on your HVAC system, and
  • unexpected air conditioning and heating shutdowns.

HVAC experts recommend changing indoor air filters once every three months, more oft if yous have pets. It'south a proficient rule of pollex to change them every time the seasons modify. Order your filters online for the year, and y'all'll e'er accept a supply set to go!

Best of all, it takes most 10 minutes per filter, once you lot have your filters in mitt and are ready to go.

Here's what you demand to go started:

  • Dispensable air filters 8-11 MERV (any brand). Nosotros don't recommend the multi-layer, reusable filters considering it's hard to get them clean plenty for re-utilise.
  • Vacuum cleaner and/or dust rag.
  • Pen or marker to document the date of installation.

If yous have a ductless system in place of or in add-on to your cardinal air and heating arrangement, nosotros have a DIY tutorial showing how to make clean the reusable filters in the hanging unit on the wall.

Step 1 – Locate the Render Air Vents

Most central air and heating systems have at least one render air vent, sometimes more. This means you may accept multiple filters to alter.

If you're not certain which vents these are, these are the larger vents that take air in — not the ones that blow it out. They are often located on the wall. Occasionally they are located in the ceiling.

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

Step two – Vacuum or dust the return air vent cover

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

If it 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

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

Once you are finished cleaning the outside of the air vent cover, it's time to open it up. At present you tin remove the old filter and throw it away.

If you compare the sometime filter to the new filter side by side, you can see the difference a new filter will brand. If you lot have a pet similar we practise, information technology can go pretty hirsuite in just three months.

write the air filter installation date on the filter

Footstep iv – Write the installation date on the new filter

With a pen or permanent marker, write the engagement of installation on the filter itself. Many filters fifty-fifty accept a spot printed right on the filter to remind y'all to write down the engagement.

Writing the date in large letters helps you down the road when you're not certain if it is time to replace it not. It's like shooting fish in a barrel to pop open the air vent cover and peek inside. While y'all're at it, set a reminder on your favorite print or online calendar for 3 months time from now.

look for the air flow indicator on the air filter

Step five – Await for the air flow direction indicator when you lot install the new filter

Each filter has an air menstruum direction indicator so you're setting the filter in the the correct management. Remember that return air vent sucks in air, then it's important to identify them the correct way (front to back) for the best results.

At present that you encounter how your system take in or "breathes in" air, you come across why having a filter that is likewise potent with a loftier MERV can exist detrimental to your HVAC system's wellness.  When your air conditioner and heater tin can't take in enough air, information technology tin can cause the whole organization to breakup.

If allergies, mold and indoor air quality are a concern, inquire your HVAC technician for other options, such every bit UV lights, media filters and whole firm air purification systems. In that location are limits to what passive filtration tin do, which is why active air purification systems are more than constructive at addressing indoor air quality.

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

Step 6 – Install the filter and close the return air vent cover

Set up the filter in the same spot as the former 1 then it covers the air intake completely. Information technology's of import to get the right size filter so the filters are able to exercise their job. They continue your HVAC equipment clean on the inside which too keeps dust, pollen, hair and other large particles out of the circulating air in your home.

Once you have the filter in, pop the embrace closed, and you're washed!

Need help with HVAC maintenance?

Irresolute indoor air filters is an easy DIY chore for near people to accomplish. With a niggling coaching even your teenager can help you with this task, which volition come in handy when they take a identify of their own.

We recommend that a professional person 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'due south chill and the summer's heat.  This is why we offer a Peace of Mind Protection programme, an HVAC scheduled service contract, to our customers to make remembering this home improvement task easier. It's also a proficient time to ask questions about any indoor air quality concerns you lot accept, since at that place are many options bachelor.

Contact Rob and Kenny at Terry'south A/C & Heating at (281) 495-7830 to get on their schedule for the day. Detect out more almost our family-owned HVAC company that operates in Richmond, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Country and Southwest Houston, Texas. We aim to exist your indoor comfort concierge.