Feeling a Winter Chill? It could be your Air Filter!

If you’ve been sitting inside your home and still feel that winter chill, it could simply be that your air filter needs to be replaced!  Air conditioner filters don’t last forever; they require changing or cleaning every so often (optimally every 90 days, to keep the air in your home clean and flowing freely).  Filters trap debris and allergens throughout your ventilation system, but they can’t do their job if they’re clogged up. And if that happens, your heating and cooling system simply can’t push air through your ventilation pipes.

The air filter is usually found behind the air return grate located in or near the air handler. Here’s a tip: where is your AC unit?  Under the house? Then you air filter is probably mounted low on a wall or in the floor.  On the roof?  It may be in the ceiling.  If you’ve looked everywhere and can’t find yours, check out this article from Today’s Homeowner on How to Locate an Air Filter.  If you’ve never changed your air filter before and don’t know what size it is, once you’ve found it, you’ll need to check the edges.  It’s usually printed there.  If not, measure it yourself or take it with you to your local hardware store to match it.  When buying a new one, you should look for a high-quality air filter to remove mold, pollen, and other microscopic particles from the air.  They may cost a bit more, but their efficiency, filtering capability, and your improved air quality are worth the nominal added expense.

To replace an air filter:

• Turn the heating system off, and wait until it stops running.
• Remove the cover on the air return.
• Take out the old air filter.
• Write the date on the new air filter.
• Insert the new air filter in the return, making sure the arrow on the edge of the filter is facing in the direction of airflow. For filters with wall- and floor-mounted returns, the arrow should point in toward the return duct. For filters mounted in the ductwork near the air handler, the arrow should point toward the HVAC unit.
• Put the cover back on the air return.
• Turn the heating system back on.

To make it easier to replace next time, put a sticker on or near the return with the size filter you need to buy and when to replace it.

—
Photo Credit:  Mike Focus / Shutterstock.com