How to Replace Air Conditioner Filters

One of the most energy-efficient items in your house is your air conditioner, if properly maintained. The most vital maintenance tip you must follow when dealing with air conditioners is to know how to replace your air conditioners filters. Replacing your filter is one of the quickest and most inexpensive ways to keep your air conditioner running at its best. If you do not replace the filters on a regular basis, the dirt and other impurities will not only be very unhealthy for you, but could also cause harm to the air conditioner unit itself. This can cause numerous health problems or very costly repairs. The best way to prevent either of these is to know how to replace air conditioner filters. The following steps will explain it all.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Air Conditioner Filter

1. Locate your air conditioner filter. Check along the air conditioner ductwork for the filter. It may be located in your furnace, ceiling, wall or floor. It will more often than not be covered with a slotted metal door of some type.

2. Find the correct size. It is very important to buy the right air conditioner filter. Look on the top and sides of the filter for the size. It will be something like this: 12x14x1 or 12x14. If there is no filter in the unit, measure the size of the filter area and make note of it.

3. Buy your air conditioner filters. You will have a variety of filters to choose from. Prices will vary from a few cents to several dollars. The filters are made differently, work differently and last for different amounts of time. Some air conditioner filters are good for 1 month, and others are good for several months. Purchase one that will work best for your situation.

4. Mark the date on it. Make sure you put the date on the filter prior to replacing it. There is usually a specific place to put this information directly on the air conditioner filter.

5. Remove the old filter. Lift up the filters metal covering. There may be screws or some other device holding the covering in place. Take out the old filter and dispose of it.

6. Replace the filter. Once you have the old air conditioner filter out, check the side of the new filter for an arrow showing the correct airflow direction. It will most often have the date written on the filter side that faces out of the covering, so you can read it easily.

7. Put it all back together. Secure the metal door covering the air conditioner filter.