How to Insert Replacement Air Filters for Central Heating Vents
Insert a replacement filter in your central heating unit every three months at a minimum. According to Energy Star, however, you should visually inspect the filter every month, especially during winter and summer. Dirty filters in your central heating and A/C unit can disrupt the flow of air, making the system work harder. Energy Star says this leads not only to wasted energy but also to wasted money. Inserting air filters is extremely easy. Make a note of the date you replaced the filter, and tape it to the furnace door as a handy reminder. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Turn off your central heating unit.
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Find the access door on the furnace unit. This is usually on the system's return-air side, according to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair," but location varies by unit.
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Open the access door, using a screwdriver if necessary to remove any screws. On some units you simply lift the door off two hooks. This will reveal the disposable filter behind the door.
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Work the filter out by tugging at it with your hands. Use care when doing this; it's easy to rip the cardboard on the filter. On some units there is a clip you must detach first before you can pull the filter out.
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Insert the new filter by pushing it into the housing just as the old one was installed. Make sure it goes all the way in and that it fits snug.
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Close the access door, and turn the central heating unit on again. Dispose of the old filter.
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Tips & Warnings
Filter replacement varies by central heating unit. See your owner's manual for instructions for your particular unit.
Don Vandervort of HomeTips.com suggests vacuuming out the filter housing while you already have the furnace open. And when possible, he says, also "slide out the fan unit, clean each fan blade with a toothbrush, and then vacuum with a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner."
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
