It might be easy to forget about changing your air conditioning system’s air filter, but it’s important to understand how this simple fix can help save your system.  In order to keep air conditioning and heating systems running smoothly, it’s best to change the system’s air filter regularly – at least at the beginning of every season, or every three months.  Although most thermostats offer a filter display alert, a tip is to set a reminder “task” within your smartphone or computer calendar.  This way you are alerted every 90 days to make a decision on buying a new replacement filter. I would also recommend placing the filter size (16×25?) within that task’s notice, so you are reminded what size to buy. Whether you have a true pleated (collapsible) filter like I do, or a self-contained cardboard framed filter, changing it will help extend the life of the heating and air conditioning system, increase efficiency, and improve comfort in your home. Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Air filters help mitigate this risk by decreasing or eliminating indoor air pollutants, such as dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, and even particles and gas generated from cooking stoves, pesticides and cleaning products. As we approach a seasonal change, there are a few things homeowners should consider when switching out air filters:This is probably a question you more often ask about your dishwasher, but even if the air filter looks clean upon initial inspection, dirt and dust particles might be lodged inside. If you believe it does not need to be changed, take a moment to compare the dirty filter with a clean, new filter before making a decision.  Leaving a filter in too long can cause harm to the system and decrease efficiency. 20 Minutes or Less: Changing a home air filter is simple and quick—it usually takes less than 20 minutes.  To make the process smoother, follow the instructions that came with the HVAC system or the replacement filter.  If the task becomes too complicated, call a contractor to assist or answer any questions.

Good Performance: A clean air filter can remove a lot of dirt and dust from the air conditioned space and from other components within the system.  Keeping the blower motors and other components clean helps the air move through the heat exchangers, and is critical to maintain good performance and extend the life of the system. When to Call a Professional: If you change the filter regularly and it appears to be extremely dirty, cleaner than expected, or has insects or mold visible, call a contractor to inspect the system.  ac unit supply air temperatureWe also recommend calling a contractor if particles are being visibly released from the indoor registers.central ac unit filter location I recently changed my pleated air filter. air conditioning unit australia

Here’s a look at the simple steps I took: First, you’ll need to locate your filter (mine was inside a utility closet, but many are at the base of the main unit). Be sure to turn off the system to make sure that it does not run while you are changing the filter. After removing the cover, I simply followed the instructions on the box to replace the filter cassette. Here you can see the view of the filter as the air would be passing through it. In these photos you can see color difference between the dirty filter and the clean filter. I removed the old filter and put the new one in the cassette. You can also watch a step-by-step of the home air filter replacement process by clicking on the following link. How to Change Your Pleated Air Filter What You Might Not Know About HVAC Filters Everyone agrees that you should change your HVAC filter on a regular basis, but not everyone agrees on the type of filter you should use. Next time you go shopping for a furnace (or AC) filter, here are a few things to keep in mind.

These tips can save you a bundle and perhaps even prevent you from inadvertently damaging your HVAC equipment. The primary purpose of a filter is to protect HVAC equipment, not to improve indoor air quality, as many homeowners have been led to believe. Many furnace manufacturers recommend that you use a low-cost fiberglass filter, but when I asked a representative of one major maker, his response was “no comment.” Perhaps this was because high-efficiency filters that are too good may actually slow airflow across the heat exchanger, reducing the unit’s efficiency, raising your energy bills, and causing furnace damage due to overheating. Similarly, a high-efficiency filter can freeze the condensing coils on an AC unit. (A dirty filter can do the same thing.) Even more of a shocker is that furnace filters do relatively little to reduce the number of small particles you inhale. That’s because these particles tend to be in the air wherever there is human activity—and that’s not necessarily where your return registers and ductwork can capture them, according to research by the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CHMC).

In addition, furnaces (and central ACs) run only seasonally. Even during the heating and cooling seasons, furnaces run only part of the time. So it stands to reason they are not filtering the air when the fan is not running. Want to save money and stop wasting time trying to figure out conflicting furnace filter maker ratings systems? Make your next filter a permanent electrostatic filter (also known as a washable one). The kit I tried is available online and can be cut to fit most filter cabinets. Washable filters may be reused for 5 to 10 years and cost about $20 each. These filters should be rinsed once a month and prior to re-installation, they should be allowed to dry. Some permanent electrostatic filters include carbon filtration for odor removal. Keep in mind that electrostatic filters are most effective when new and clean, so they should be washed frequently. Pre-made sizes are limited, but some manufacturers, such as WebProducts, will fabricate filters to your specs for about $35 each.