Many types of HVAC units, from central air conditioners to furnaces, have air filters. These filters are designed to collect all kinds of airborne particles — including dust, pollen, and pet dander — before they have a chance to enter your home.
It’s important to replace your furnace’s air filter regularly to prevent any harmful pollutants from contaminating your air. As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to replace the filter once every 90 days. However, you may want to replace it on a more frequent basis if you have pets or are prone to allergies.
Are you unsure of how to replace furnace filters? There’s no reason to panic! Although this maintenance task might seem complicated, it’s actually a simple and quick process.
Let’s go over an easy step-by-step guide to replacing furnace filters.
Why Do Furnace Filters Get So Dirty?
Your furnace’s air filter can become dirty for several reasons, such as an accumulation of pet hair, the filter’s size, or the presence of excessive dust in your home. When your filter becomes clogged with debris, it can significantly limit the airflow coming and going from the furnace. Unfortunately, insufficient airflow will negatively impact your heating system’s energy efficiency, which can lead to higher energy bills.
As you can see, it’s incredibly important to replace the furnace filter regularly. When you change the filter on a routine basis, you can maintain a high-efficiency HVAC unit. As a result, you can improve your home’s comfort while preventing a premature furnace replacement in Fresno, CA.
Some heating systems use reusable filters. If this is the case for you, all you have to do is clean the filter. If you have a disposable filter, keep reading to see how to change it.
Step 1: Shut Off the Furnace
It’s time to get started with our step-by-step guide to replacing furnace filters! The first thing you’ll want to do is shut off your HVAC system. You should always avoid changing furnace filters while running the heating system, as various types of debris can enter the furnace — and you certainly don’t want that to happen.
Step 2: Locate Your Furnace Filter
Now that your furnace has been safely turned off, it’s time to hunt down the location of the air filter. The filter is usually inside the heating system itself, so the first place you should look is the air handler. However, there could be a second filter located within the return air register, so don’t forget to check there as well.
As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all process when it comes to learning how to replace furnace filters. Some furnaces only have one filter, while others have two. Always be thorough and make sure you’re replacing each filter!
Step 3: Take Out the Old Filter
Once you’ve removed the access panel, you’ll need to remove the existing filter. While extracting the filter, keep an eye on the arrows that should be drawn on the sides of the filter. These arrows point in the direction the air flows, and you’ll want to install the new filter with the arrows pointing in the same direction.
Step 4: Select a Replacement Filter
Our step-by-step guide to replacing furnace filters wouldn’t be complete without this important step. Now that you’ve removed the dirty filter, you’ll want to purchase a replacement that is identical to it. There are many filter sizes and materials on the market, so you’ll want to make sure you choose the correct size and type for your specific needs. You can typically purchase replacement filters in hardware stores or online, so they aren’t hard to find.
Step 5: Install the Replacement
We’re almost done! The final step is to install the new filter. This process is pretty straightforward; just remember to point the arrows in the direction of the airflow. Once you’ve successfully set up the replacement filter, simply close the access panel. You can now turn your furnace on and crank the thermostat back up.
And there you have it; we’ve now finished our step-by-step guide to replacing furnace filters! Hopefully, you feel a little better about completing this easy maintenance task on your own. All homeowners should know how to replace furnace filters, as this quick and simple process can end up impacting your heating system’s performance in more ways than one.
Schedule Heating Services With Our Professional Team!
As you can see, learning how to replace furnace filters isn’t as complicated as it might seem. If you need to schedule a professional furnace repair in Fresno, CA, turn to Lee’s Air, Plumbing & Heating! Our experts are proud to provide high-quality services for a wide range of heating and cooling systems, including furnaces.
Replacing the air filter is a critical part of maintaining your furnace. However, there may come a time when replacing your furnace is the only way to drastically improve your comfort and energy savings. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
