If you use a furnace or a heat pump to provide warmth to your home during the winter, it has an air filter on it that needs some special attention over the season. This filter isn’t designed to clean the air (we have plenty of options to help your home with air quality if you need help with that). What it does is protect the interior of the heater from the debris that flows in through the return air ducts. Over the winter months, a great deal of dust, lint, dander, and other particles will become trapped in the filter. The congestion will reach the point where the filter will no longer be able to “breathe” and this can cause multiple problems:
- It lowers the energy efficiency of the heater as it forces it to strain more to draw in air.
- It can lead to dust and other contaminants escaping around the edges of the filter as it distorts.
- The drop in airflow will lead to a drop in comfort.
What are the benefits of changing your HVAC filter regularly?
Changing your HVAC filter regularly can help prevent heating and air conditioning repair issues while improving overall system performance. Key benefits include:
- Prevents dust buildup that can damage HVAC components
- Reduces strain on the system, lowering repair risk
- Improves airflow and indoor comfort
- Enhances indoor air quality
- Extends the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment
You need to change the filter on a regular basis—every 1 to 3 months depending on the type of filter. We recommend checking monthly to see the level of clogging; you’ll soon get a sense of how often to change the filter for a new one. Here’s how to do it.
- First, locate the filter. This is a bit harder than it sounds, since the filter can be in a number of different spots. The best place to look is where the return air duct connects to the blower in the heater’s cabinet. But it might also be behind the grill of the return air vent in the house.
- Slide the filter out from its slot.
- Have a new filter ready to go—they’re inexpensive to buy at a home supply store. Write the date with a marker on the edge of the filter that will face outward. That way you’ll always know when the most recent filter was put in.
- Slide the new filter into place and make sure it’s in there firmly; a loose filter can allow particles to escape around it.
That’s all there is to it! If you need any assistance, you can give our team a call. We provide air filter changes as a part of regular maintenance through our HomesSavers Club.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the basic steps for changing an HVAC air filter?
Answer: First, locate your HVAC filter, usually where the return air duct meets the blower cabinet or behind a return air vent. Slide out the old filter, prepare a new one of the correct size, note the date on it, and slide it firmly into place so there are no gaps.
Question: How often should I change my HVAC filter when performing this task?
Answer: Most HVAC filters should be changed about every 1 to 3 months, depending on filter type, home conditions, and usage. Checking them monthly helps you see when they get too clogged and need replacing.
Question: Where is the HVAC filter typically located?
Answer: The filter is commonly found in the return air duct or in a slot at the HVAC cabinet where the return duct connects to the blower. It may also be located behind a return air vent grille inside your home.
Question: Why should I date the new filter when changing it?
Answer: Writing the installation date on the new filter’s frame helps you track how long it’s been in use, so you can better follow the recommended change schedule and avoid letting it become too dirty or clogged.
Question: What issues can arise from not changing an HVAC filter properly?
Answer: A very dirty or improperly fitted filter can reduce airflow, lower system efficiency, allow dust past the filter edges, and make your HVAC work harder, which can decrease comfort and raise energy use.
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