If you can’t change your AC filter, what will happen? It can be hard to believe that such a small portion of the air conditioner can make a huge difference. Remember, all the grime and dirt on the ground, counters, fixtures, and even your AC air filter could turn into a big mess if not cleaned properly. What happens next if you don’t change your AC filter could lead to worse health problems. With this being said, it is essential to know how to change an air conditioner filter. Keep on reading to learn how to do it.
Changing Your Air Conditioner Filter
The air filter is placed next to the thermostat in many homes. So, locating the filter will be the first step. Go over to your thermostat, and find a vent. Look at the air conditioning system if you can’t locate a replacement vent with the filter located nearby. The air filter is housed closer to the machine in some models, instead of at the air intake grille.
The steps below tell you how to change an air conditioner filter:
- Remove the fasteners connecting the grille front to the vent, and detach the cover gently. Directly behind the cover, you can find the ventilation system.
- Just reach in and take it out.
- Set the filter sideways, and evaluate its condition. Typically a dirty filter would be a grimy, greyish-brown color when its peak has expired. There might be some fight left in it if it still appears whitish.
- Take the air filter when the filter is dirty.
- Recognize the design of the arrows at the filter edge. You do not point the arrows out or at you. If they do, they will limit airflow.
- Place them so that they will be facing the other way until you locate the arrows.
- Position the air filter straight into the center of the return vent, gently pushing the filter’s lower section first and the top.
- Check that the markers are pointed into the duct.
- To make sure that it easily fits into the crack, give the filter a quick push.
- Put your cover back on. Pull the fasteners close.
As air flows freely through your system, removing a clogged or dirty filter will make your home feel more relaxed.
When To Change Air Filter
Manufacturers usually advise you to substitute them every 30-60 days for simple 1’-3’ air filters. If you suffer from mild allergies, you will add or uninstall a better air filter even more often.
Here are estimates that will help you know how often you should place a new air filter.
- A holiday house or single occupant without livestock or allergies is every 6–12 months.
- A pet-free suburban home takes about 90 days.
- One dog or cat just 60 days.
- Over one pet or if someone has allergic reactions: 20–45 days.
What Are The Possible Problems
The AC filter’s principal duty is to protect the AC device itself from harmful items in the air. You can make it easier for the AC to keep cool until you know how to change an air conditioner filter.
- Dust Buildup on Blower Fans. Filters are indefinitely screening the air. They can be filled with dust and soil that the AC filter caught. You should replace your AC filter or clean it. Paper filters, with cardboard frames and a paper screen, are removable. Sturdier filters are removable, usually with metal panels, and cleanable as directed by the manufacturer. If you don’t fix your AC filter, it’s going to start failing. It will not properly clean the air anymore, letting dust and bacteria get into the AC.
- Moisture and Mold. The other pollutants that enter a dirty environment are the next thing to be concerned about. HEPA, or high energy particulate air filters, are the only sort of filters that capture allergens and spores. These are higher than most filters so that tiny particles like allergens, pollen, dander, and dust particles can be filtered out. They are rated according to MERV ratings 1 through 12. A MERV 10 or above will be an ideal filter. HEPA filters give you good quality of the indoor air.
- Wear and Tear. Over time, if you keep ignoring it, the issue will get worse. It’s not just the filter that will stop working, but the moving parts would be degraded by dust in the ducts, making them move slower and draw more fuel. It will wear out your AC mechanics more quickly than normal use. The expected lifespan of and the HVAC machine is 15 to 20 years. The unit can last by five to ten years without changing the AC filter regularly. Eventually, when they crack, you will have to repair pieces of your AC, which can become costly.
Best Air Filter Type For AC
All filters are not the same, and finding the right air filter is a must. Knowing how to change an air conditioner filter is also equally important. There’s a variety of different types of filters and increased efficiency available. The Minimum Reporting Efficiency Value (MERV) is a score that informs you how good a specific filter is at cleaning the air. The residential air filters have a MERV between 1 and 12, with increased levels. The suggesting filters are more effective in removing dust, particles, and microbes from the air.
Here’s a general rundown of the various MERV rating groups for home air filters and what they say.
- The unit can eliminate less than 20 percent of air fine particles, 1 to 4 means minimum filtration.
- 5 to 8 has greater filtration, eliminating 20 to 35 percent of atmospheric particulate matter.
- 9 to 12 provides the highest filtration, eliminating at least 50 percent of air particulates and possibly more than 90 percent.
Conclusion
Contact an HVAC professional if you’re not sure what sort of air filter is best for your system. There are risks required if you don’t know how to change an air conditioner filter. You can also review the manual guide to know the efficiency rating suitable for your air conditioning system. Know more about cleaning appliances.