How to Change Furnace Filters

Depending on where you live, your furnace may be used for up to six months of the year. Every time your furnace turns on, the filter helps to prevent dust and dirt from entering the air of your home. Having a dirty filter means more than you breathing in these harmful particles, though. An unclean filter can actually cause your furnace to malfunction, which could result in costly repairs.

Instructions

1. Begin by turning your furnace off. This is for your safety as the furnace filter may be located near some wires that could shock you if the unit is on.

2. Locate your furnace filter. Search all around the outside of the unit as the filter could be located on either side. If you don't see it, the filter is most likely located inside the unit. Simply slide the cover off of the unit and look inside until you locate the filter. You may need a flashlight in order to see it.

3. Slide or pull the old filter out. The furnace filter should simply slide right out of the unit.

4. Examine the filter to see if it needs replaced. A dirty filter will be fully covered in dirt and dust particles. You may also be able to see through the filter by using your flashlight. If that is the case, you should change your furnace filter.

5. Locate the arrow on your new furnace filter. Every filter has an arrow located on it. This is how you will know which way to slide the filter in. You can damage your furnace by putting your filter in backwards.

6. Slide the filter in with the arrow pointing in the direction of the air flow. The filter should glide gently into the slot. If it doesn't, you are not putting the filter in correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're unsure about which direction the arrow should be pointing, simply look for the arrow on the old filter when removing it. Even if the filter is dirty, you will still be able to see the arrow on the side of the filter. Check your furnace filter once a month, even if you purchased a filter that is "good for 90 days." Checking your filter takes roughly one minute of your time.