There are three certainties in life—death, taxes, and the fact that you need to replace your air conditioner’s air filter. There’s no getting around this concept, no matter how clean you think your indoor air quality is. These filters are meant to get clogged up, so the sensitive components of your air conditioner can remain dirt, dust, and debris-free! —and that’s exactly why air conditioners need clean filters! It’s just responsible as an air conditioner owner to replace the filter when you need to.
So, as your neighborhood HVAC specialists, we’d like to talk about your air conditioning in Essex County. More specifically, we’d like to put together a step by step guide for you to follow when the time comes for your air conditioner’s filter to be replaced and why you should avoid DIY AC maintenance if anything feels unsafe or unfamiliar.
Are you nervous about replacing the filter? Or perhaps you’ve just never done it before? Don’t panic, it’s going to be just fine. This is a simple procedure that takes a few minutes. Keep reading to learn how.
Follow Closely
Replacing your air conditioner’s air filter is going to require a little bit of precision. You don’t want to stick your hands anywhere they shouldn’t be, so you’re better off following along with our step by step guide. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated.
Step 1: Turn the System Off
Before you do anything, it’s always a good idea to turn your air conditioner off before you complete this process. You wouldn’t keep your car running at the gas station while you fill it up, would you?
Step 2: Locate the Air Filter
The air filter is located in the return air ducts. This location can be found easily in your air conditioner’s manual, but to be more specific, it’s where your indoor air is taken in to be cooled by the system. Once you’ve located the return air duct, your air filter should be somewhere inside and labeled for easy access.
Step 3: Remove the Air Filter
While removing the air filter sounds easy enough, we can’t help but urge you to be careful. If it won’t budge or is giving you some resistance, you might be better off calling for our help especially if it’s time for a mid-summer AC checkup. Don’t force things or touch things that you’re unsure about. When in doubt, give us a call!
Step 4: Replace or Clean the Filter
This step is important. You need to figure out whether or not your air conditioner’s filter is disposable or replaceable. If it’s disposable, you’re going to need to throw it out and pick up a new air filter that’s the exact same size and material. If it’s replaceable, you can just rinse it off or scrub it off the same way you would your clothes dryer filter.
Step 5: Reinsert the Filter
Make sure when you’re putting the new or old air filter back in the system, that it’s facing the right way! This can usually be done by taking note of which way it was facing when you removed it. An air filter that faces the wrong way will not work as effectively!
Step 6: Turn on the System
Once your air filter is securely put in place, turn your air conditioner on and see if you can feel the difference! If something doesn’t feel right, make sure you call us so we can diagnose the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I replace my air conditioner’s air filter step by step?
Answer: Start by turning the system off. Locate the filter in the return air duct, then carefully remove it. Decide whether it is disposable or washable. Replace it with the exact same size and material, or clean it if reusable. Reinsert it facing the correct direction, then turn the system back on.
Question: Where is my AC air filter located?
Answer: In many central air systems, the air filter sits in the return air ducts, where indoor air is pulled in to be cooled. Your unit’s manual can point you to the exact spot. Once you find the return duct, the filter is typically inside and labeled for easier access.
Question: Should I turn off my AC before changing the filter?
Answer: Yes. Turning the air conditioner off before you start is a smart safety step and helps prevent the system from pulling debris into open components while you work. It also keeps the unit from running while the filter is removed, which makes the process simpler and reduces the chance of something feeling off afterward.
Question: How do I know whether my AC filter is disposable or washable?
Answer: You will need to identify the type before you do anything else. If it is disposable, throw it out and buy a new filter with the exact same size and material. If it is reusable, you can rinse or scrub it clean, similar to how you would clean a clothes dryer filter.
Question: What happens if the air filter is installed the wrong way?
Answer: The filter needs to face the correct direction to work effectively. Before removing it, note how it is positioned so you can match it during reinstallation. If it is put back in backward, it may not filter as well and could make the system feel like it is not operating quite right.
The folks at Margo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. are the experts on home air conditioning. If you contact us, we can help you.