Where are your air filters located in your home? Most central heating and air conditioning systems locate the air filter housing as close to the blower unit as possible in the return air duct. Air filtration happens as the blower draws air through the filter and feeds it into the furnace or AC unit for conditioning and circulation. The grill or box cover over the opening that contains the air filter should be located on the wall nearest to wherever the furnace is mounted, on the opposite side of the wall as the furnace. If not there, the filter may be located inside, or on the air handler itself. How do I find out my furnace filter size? The opening behind the grate covering the furnace filter will typically be a basic square or rectangle shape. Your air vent filter size should match exactly to slightly smaller than the measured outside length and width of the frame around that opening. This is vital as missed matched filters can allow harmful particles such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, tobacco smoke and other contaminants to enter your house.

Having an incorrect filter size is like not using a filter at all, which can have a bigger impact on your furnace and AC systems. Actual filter size is the critical dimension to measure and shop for. Most air vent filters match exactly with the size of the opening. Vent filters that do not match exactly, are expressed in terms of nominal and actual filter sizes. Nominal filter size is the approximate size of the filter rounded up to the nearest whole inch. For example, a filter that measures 19 ⅝” x 19 ⅝” x 13/16” might be nominally labelled as 20 x 20 x 1. Need help figuring out your air filter size? Pull out your current filter and look on its side. Dimensions range from 10”x10” to 30”X36” and most, but not all filters are 1” thick, though some homes will have 2”-5” thick filters. What sizes does Quality Air Filters have? Some HVAC systems require eccentric shaped, and/or oddly sized air filters. Quality Air Filters stocks 75 standard sized air filters, and can make custom air filters to any size desired.

The best part is that there is no minimum quantity requirement for custom orders. You can order just one custom air filter if that’s all you need. Additionally, Quality Air Filters can create custom delivery schedules that vary from just a one time order to every 2-6 months that best suit your air filter needs. Does my filter have to be an exact fit? Ideally, you want the vent filter to fit as close to exact as possible. If a filter is not fitted snugly, unfiltered air will go through the path of least resistance, and the filter will be rendered partially if not completely useless. how much does an outdoor ac unit costParticles that bypass the filter may build up on the mechanical parts of furnaces, and AC units, and deteriorate proper mechanical working conditions over time. how to fix a leaking window ac unit

Left unattended this creates the need for expensive repairs, parts replacements, or in extreme cases total replacement of the unit. It’s important that everyone changes their air filters on a regular basis. From decreasing your electric bill to improving the efficiency of your HVAC system, by regularly changing your air filter with the right size, the higher quality of air you’ll have circulating through your home. can help you keep your house in great condition with new and effective air filters delivered right to your door.how to properly size a central ac unit As the summer heat continues unabated, it's a good time to make sure you're getting the most out of your air conditioner and dehumidifier. One easy way is to clean the filters. If you haven't done so since summer began, then this chore is long overdue. The improved performance of your appliances will make you glad you made the effort.

Dirty filters hamper the efficiency of your air conditioner and dehumidifier. And if they're working harder, it's costing you money without making your home more comfortable. If you have central air conditioning, have your contractor show you how to change the filters. During cooling season, Energy Star recommends that the filters be inspected, cleaned or changed every month. Alternatively, if you feel like your system is losing its oomph, have a licensed professional change all filters; clean and flush the coils, drain pan, and drainage system; vacuum the blower compartments; and check the refrigerant and mechanical components. With window air conditioners, some filters are easier to change than others. Cleaning may be needed every few weeks during the hottest part of the summer. With that in mind, make sure you determine how easy it is to remove the filter when selecting a new unit. When cleaning it, remove debris with a vacuum then wash the filter in warm, soapy water; be sure filters are dry before you reinstall them and replace damaged filters.

When the filter is removed for cleaning, check the surface of the evaporator coil, which will now be visible. If there is dust or debris on the surface, gently remove it. Taking care not to deform the soft fins, use an upholstery-brush attachment to vacuum the coils. Dirty filters can also inhibit the performance of your dehumidifier. Most can be easily removed and cleaned in just a few minutes. Don't neglect this task just because your unit is out of sight in the basement. Keeping the filters clean will improve the air quality and keep your machine working at its best. This is important when the humidity is high. For more tips on how to maintain your equipment and save on your utility bill, check the Consumer Reports guide to summer cooling.The air conditioning unit in your house is one of those things that you may only notice when it stops working. In order to keep from reaching this sort of impasse, or at least making it less likely to happen, you need to perform regular maintenance to make sure the internal parts are clean and in good working condition.

The most basic maintenance you can perform is cleaning or replacing your air filter, and here we will cover several ways to do this, depending on the layout of your cooling system. With proper maintenance of your air filter, you will be able to save yourself a considerable amount of money and time spent sweltering in your uncooled home because you need to call in a repair service to fix it. (For window units, skip the following three steps and see the end of the article.) 1. Find out where the air filter is in your residence and remove it. Some may be located behind the main vent that lets out cool air into your house, in which case you may need to pull back a set of fasteners to remove the filter from its housing. This vent is usually located by the thermostat. In other cases, the filter may be located in a slot in your furnace. Before removing the filter, make sure to turn the unit off for safety's sake. Furnace units that use larger media filters will have them behind a filter cap, a metal or plastic housing that can snap off by hand.

Once you have found the filter, making sure no air is going to pass through the system while you work, remove it. 2. Identify your filter type. For all but the window unit, you will need to determine the type of filter and its dimensions before you buy a replacement. A fiberglass filter resembles a window screen with a larger frame. This is an older type of filter and needs to be replaced at least once a month. A pleated filter is rectangular and about an inch wide. It should be replaced at least every 90 days, but HVAC experts recommend 45 days. A media filter resembles a pleated filter, but is about four times as wide. It should be replaced every 6 to 8 months, but in some cases can last up to a year. 3. Install the filter. Once you have the correct unit for your air conditioner, slide it into place. There should be an arrow telling you which side to put it in first, and it is important that you follow this as the filters are designed to work this way. Put the filter cap back on or refasten the grate.