How to Perform Furnace Filter (HVAC) Maintenance

HVAC filter maintenance is essential if you want to preserve your equipment and save money on heating and air conditioning bills.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New filter - one of several different types.

1. 
    
   Note the location of the furnace filter

   Most furnaces have a filter alongside the furnace. Locate the "slot" where the filter slides into the return-air portion of the furnace.

2. 
    
   Note the 3/4

   You should see the edge of cardboard about 1" in thickness. This is the edge of the filter that you pull on which should slide out of the cavity.
   Gently pull it.

3. 
    
   How could this filter really work efficiently?

   Pull this filter out and locate the SIZE. Common sizes are 16 x 20, 20 x 24 and so on. If this filter has been in the furnace over 30 - 60 days, then it probably is quite dirty and should be disposed of carefully so that you do not place the collected dust back into the house.

4. 
    
   Pleated furnace filter.

   Go to your local hardware or building supply store and purchase another filter the same size. While there, you will see many more expensive filters that do a better job filtering out the dust within your house. Pick from pleated which come in 6 different efficiencies and really do collect more particles.

5. 
    
   Filters just slide in normally.

   Simply slide the new, same size filter back into the slot. MAKE SURE THE ARROW IS POINTING THE SAME DIRECTION AS IT WAS WHEN REMOVED.

6. 
    
   Typical furnace filter installation.

   Place the filter all the way in so that it looks like the old one did before you took it out.

7. Now you can expect more efficient operation of your HVAC unit in both summer and winter. Remember to change your filter monthly or as directed on the filter you purchased or the directions relative to your HVAC unit.

8. Replacing your filter on a regular basis is quick, easy, and will extend the lifetime of your furnace unit. Additionally, taking the time to perform this simple task will improve the quality of air in your home. This maintenance will also lower your operating cost too. Take one look at your dirty filter and you should be relieved that all that mess was caught in the filter, rather than you and you family breathing it.

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Tips & Warnings

• It is easier to slide the filter out if the furnace (or AC) is not running, which creates suction.
• NOTE the little arrow on the filter as you slide it out of the furnace and be sure to place the new filter into the furnace cavity exactly as it came out. In other words the arrow must point in the same direction for the filter to work correctly.
• When disposing of a used filter, be sure and have a plastic bag handy so that the already collected dust won't go back into the air of your home where, of course, you might have to breathe it.

Resources

• Additional Help
• Filter Maintenance