If you're looking to improve the air quality in your home, one of the best places to start is by changing your air filter. Replacing a used filter with a new one can reduce energy consumption in your home by 5 to 15 percent, according to the Institute of Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration. Changing your air cleaner regularly can improve indoor air quality and help your HVAC system work more efficiently. When you can replace the air filters in your home, you'll move toward cleaner air in every room.
Replacing the air filter is important because it can extend oven life, reduce energy bills, and improve indoor air quality. To change your home air filter in the ceiling, start by gently pushing against the dusty air filter with your fingertips. Move the filter back and forth until it falls out of the filter housing. Most filters are supported or suspended at their edges through two metal fins inside the filter housing.
Note the direction in which the filter was inserted. The filter material: Based on its MERV classification, the air filter is made of one or more layers of synthetic and natural materials. If the thin metal holder is missing, you can still determine the correct direction in which the filter should be oriented. This can be a difficult question because the arrow represents the direction in which the air must flow before it enters the air conditioning unit.
When installing the filter in a floor, ceiling, or wall air intake vent, the metal side must face away from you. The filter holder: Many, if not most, filters will include a thin wire support or a crisscross frame of the cardboard structure to keep them rigid. If the air cleaner is located in the air conditioning unit, for example, in an attic or basement, the air cleaner typically points to the unit. Don't let the high placement of the air cleaner on the ceiling intimidate you, if that has been the delay. While you need to know how to change an air filter, professional HVAC maintenance is a good idea, even when you're keeping up with regular air filter changes.
If you've thoroughly examined your air filter and still don't know how to install it, contact an HVAC specialist in your area. The exception is that a manufacturer may have added negative ion attracting metal wire to a filter, which may require an alternative installation. Changing your home's air filter is an important part of maintaining a healthy indoor environment and keeping energy costs down. With just a few simple steps and some basic knowledge about how to replace an air filter, you can make sure that your home's HVAC system is running efficiently and effectively.
