You're just a commercial break or two away from a fresh, new air filter
Flex your DIY muscles.
HVAC filters help maintain your home’s air purity and quality, so it’s important to show yours some TLC. Regularly replacing your AC filter is a great way to help improve your home’s air and maximize your HVAC unit’s functionality.
Luckily, changing your AC filter is an extremely doable project for almost anyone and won’t take longer than a few minutes once you get the correct filter. For maximum efficiency, aim to change your filter every one to two months.
One of the most involved parts of this process is finding the AC filter since it could be in various places. With some systems, the filter is located in the return air duct, the vent that’s attached to the wall, or somewhere near or within the HVAC unit. Try looking above or below it or on the air return side of the HVAC unit. If you’re stumped on finding yours, this is a great time to break out the manual.
To ensure you get the proper replacement, it’s important to note what type of air filter you currently have. You can usually find a label on the side of the filter that indicates its type. Keep in mind that it can vary depending on whether you have ductless AC or central air. Take a photo of the label to bring to the store, and show it to an employee who can help you find the correct replacement.
If you can’t find the label, look in the manual to see if it indicates what type of air filter you’ll need. If there’s no label or instructions in the manual, it won’t hurt to take a photo of your current air filter to see if a sales associate can help.
You’ll also have to make sure you know the size of your current air filter. Ensuring a tight filter fit is crucial to its functionality.
You’ll often find instructions in your AC manual for which size air filter to purchase. If you can’t find any, you can usually find the filter’s dimensions printed on the filter frame. Be sure to choose an air filter that’s the appropriate size for your AC tonnage, or it may not perform as efficiently or at all. If all else fails, you can manually measure the dimensions with a tape measure or ruler. Write down the dimensions so you can take them to the store when purchasing your new filter.
Make sure your thermostat is off before changing your AC filter. Doing so helps protect the HVAC system from debris getting inside and accumulating. Plus, it reduces the chance of dirty air circulating your home.
Removing the old filter is simple—just slide it out of its place. If you can, immediately place it in a garbage bag so the dust doesn’t scatter around the room.
Inserting the new air filter is easy: you just have to place it back in. It is, however, crucial that you slide it in the right direction according to airflow arrows.
Air filters are designed to filter the air from one direction so that as they become loaded with dirt, they don’t collapse. If you’re having trouble, arrows on the filter’s frame show you the direction the air should flow, which will be away from the return air duct and toward the air handler mechanism.
There should be a snug fit—if you notice any gaps, the filter is probably the wrong size.
Watch out for the signs that it’s time to change your air filter. You’ll need to take action when there’s a larger-than-normal dust build-up around the vents, your electricity bill is higher than normal (even though you didn’t use the AC more often), or your home doesn’t cool down or heat up as quickly. You can also crack open the unit to see what the filter looks like. If you’re experiencing any of these issues but the filter looks clean, you may have a more serious problem.
In addition to annual air conditioner maintenance, like cleaning the vents and the coils, put monthly air filter replacements on your to-do list. Changing the filter so often might not seem necessary, but you’ll be surprised by how quickly it gets dirty when you use your unit heavily. Yes, you’ll pay a bit more for new filters, but you’ll save a lot on costly HVAC replacements and repairs and even reduce your overall energy costs in the long run.
Lydia Schapiro contributed to this article.
Running your AC with a dirty filter may spread dirt and dust around your home and cause the unit to perform less efficiently. That could mean anything from your machine having to work twice as hard for the same output—and increasing your energy bills as a result—to taking far longer to cool down your home.
Turning off an AC unit is the first step to resetting it. Locate the reset button on your machine. It’s usually small and red; refer to your user manual if you can’t find it. Hold the button for three to five seconds, then power up your machine. If it’s not functioning as it should, you may need to repeat the process, but it’ll be the same whether you have central AC or a ventless air conditioner.
Running your machine without a filter is worse than running it with a dirty filter for one important reason: without a protective barrier in place, it’s far more likely that dirt and debris will get caught in essential machinery like the motor or compressor. These spots are much harder to clean and far more likely to break the unit when corrupted by even a few specks of dust. That’s why you should wait until you have a replacement handy to change a dirty filter.
