Changing the air filter in your home's air conditioning system is an important part of keeping your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently. Doing so can help prevent unnecessary service calls from your local HVAC technician and save you money in the long run. It's a simple task that doesn't require a lot of tools and can be done in six easy steps. First, turn off the unit.
The air cleaner is usually close to your home thermostat or right next to the air handler for your air conditioning system. Once you've located the filter, take a moment to determine the direction in which air flows through the system. Carefully slide the new or clean filter into its housing with the airflow arrows pointing in the right direction. Writing the date in large letters on the filter can help you remember when it was last changed.
We recommend that a professional HVAC technician perform air conditioning and heating maintenance twice a year, in the fall and spring, to ensure that your system is prepared for the cold of winter and the heat of summer. Changing filters regularly can help keep your system running smoothly and efficiently and prevent dust from building up in your return ducts. This can help keep your home's air clean and prevent limited airflow in some rooms. It's also a good time to ask questions about any concerns you have about indoor air quality, as there are so many options available.
In more extreme cases, a clogged filter can cause the system to turn on and off many times in rapid succession (short cycles) or even shut down completely. For example, a basic 1-inch air filter will most likely need to be replaced more often than a larger 4-inch filter. If you compare the old filter with the new one side by side, you can see the difference a new filter will make.
