How to Change Your Furnace Filter or Air Conditioning Filter

Analogous to change in technology and thechanging the furnace filter or air conditioning filter:o
ever-increasing pollutants in the atmosphere,Turn off the HVAC system and look for the
home air filtering technology has undergone aservice panel. You could either use a screwdriver
massive change. Today, many home air filters areor your hand for removing these panelso Locate
layered with chemicals for killing the mold and dustthe home air filter close to the intake-outtake
spores, and sanitizing the filter to dispel impurities.blower; it might be behind a panel or door that
If you live in a heavily populated vicinity, there is aswings or lifts open. Remove the filter.o Before
high possibility of dust particles collecting in your airyou install the new filter, look for an arrow (arrow
conditioner. These filthy dust particles mayindicating the direction of airflow) along the edge
probably hold up the condenser of the airof the new filter. Install the filter, ensuring the
conditioner and compel it to work intensely. Asarrow is pointing toward the blower motor and
this would hamper the longevity of the airother related machinery. Make sure you don't
conditioner and affect its performance in the longinstall the filter in a backwards airflow manner as
run, make sure you steam-clean the airthis decreases the efficiency of the home air
conditioner at least once in two years. Besides, iffilter.o Turn your system on and check whether it
you live in a highly polluted area, a yearly clean upis functioning properly.
would do you good.Conforming to the above given steps you would
Furnace filters and air conditioning filters not onlyeasily be able to change the home air filter. If you
screen out debris and unwanted pollens from theare unable to change the air filter, call for a
heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, butheating contractor and watch how they change
they also increase its productivity. If you replacethe filter.
them often, your air would stay healthy and cleanFurnace filters and air-conditioning filters are
without any allergens and all other types ofavailable in permanent (with metal framing or
bacteria that could be harmful to the lungs.fiberglass) or disposable (with cardboard frames).
Moreover, fresh replacements help in keeping theDisposable models are very cheap, but need to
HVAC system running efficiently by prolonging itsbe replaced within a time span of a month.
lifespan and reducing the utility bills after regularTherefore, it is better if you have spare filters on
maintenance. Make sure you check your furnacehand to save time during the course of the year.
filters and air conditioning filters, the need forOn the other hand, permanent brands are
replacement or cleaning every month andcost-effective. All furnace filters and
particularly during cooling or heating season whenair-conditioning filters come with a MERV (Minimum
the system is continuously used. If these filtersEfficiency Report Value) Rating that denotes the
were not changed on a routine basis, yourcapability of the product in comparison with the
system would have to work extra hard, increaseother various brands. The higher the MERV rating,
expenses and reduce performance.the more beneficial your filtration will be.
Following are some common steps followed for