Where Is My AC Filter Located and How Do I Change It?

When you’re looking for AC maintenance tasks you can do by yourself, it doesn’t get much easier than changing the filter. Once you know where to look and what to do, you’ll be able to change your filter within minutes – if not seconds. Best of all, this simple piece of HVAC maintenance can make a significant difference to your home’s air quality, which directly impacts your health and comfort.

• Prevent your filter from getting clogged – Over time, your HVAC filter collects dust, pet hair, and other contaminants. The dirt eventually restricts airflow, which makes it harder for your air conditioner to cool the home. Increased strain on your system leads to uncomfortable temperatures, high electricity bills, and an increased likelihood of needing HVAC repair or replacement.
• Keep your air clean – Your air filter’s primary job is to ensure good air quality in your home or business. Clean air is vital for your health, as it helps to remove allergens, pollutants, and other harmful substances from the air you breathe. A dirty filter becomes less effective when you leave it for longer than you should. That means it cannot filter dust, germs, and other contamination out of your air as well as it should.

Good air quality is important not only for the longevity and efficiency of your HVAC system, but also for the health of you and your family. Clean air helps prevent respiratory issues and reduces the spread of illness-causing bacteria and viruses.

Most Common 2 Places to Find Your AC Filter

“Where is my AC filter?” Once you’ve changed your filter enough times, you might forget that you ever had to ask this question. However, it isn’t always obvious your first time. If you have just moved into a home or apartment where you’re responsible for changing the filter, the first step is to find out where it goes. It will generally be in one of two places:

1. Return Ducts: Some systems rely on return ducts located on the floor, wall, or ceiling. This might look similar to the other HVAC vents in your home, but the most significant difference is that the air goes into these vents instead of coming out. The return duct might also be larger than your other vents. If this applies to your system, you can remove the vent and replace your filter. Some HVAC setups use multiple return ducts, which makes it important to find them all.
2. Air Handler: Most air conditioners have a filter in the air handler itself. This is the large metal box that stores most of your HVAC equipment. It might be in your attic or in a dedicated closet. If your home has a basement, there’s a good chance the air handler is down there.

Once you identify the place for your air filter, you’ll also be able to see which type of filter you need.

Important Step: USE THE RIGHT REPLACEMENT FILTER

The HVAC filter size is almost always printed on the side of the filter. Assuming the appropriate filter was in there previously, you can replace it with the same kind of filter. To be safe, you can also look at your HVAC equipment or check the manual to confirm the filter size.

Choosing the right size filter ensures a proper fit. If the filter is too big, you probably won’t be able to get it into your unit without damaging the filter or your equipment. If the filter is too small, air will be able to pass through it without being filtered properly.

Common Issues People Face When Changing Their Air Filter

While changing the filter is generally a simple process, there are a couple of problems people run into from time to time.

• Too Much Dust in Your Air Ducts – Do you notice a massive dust and dirt buildup when you change your filter? If so, there’s definitely some type of problem. Your ductwork could be clogged, which means you aren’t getting proper HVAC airflow, and you’ll have difficulty keeping surfaces clean throughout your home.
• A Wet Air Handler – Replacing your filter allows you to spot obvious signs of trouble. For example, you might notice water pooling around your HVAC air handler. Potential causes include problems with your drain, evaporator coil, or condensate line.

Any of these problems will take you out of DIY space and require professional HVAC maintenance.

How to Change Your Air Filter on AC Unit

Once you know where to find your AC filter, which size to get, and some red flags to watch for, you’re ready to make the switch.

You can generally follow these steps to success:

1. Turn off your HVAC system.
2. Open the filter compartment in your air handler or return duct.
3. Remove the old filter.
4. Check your old filter to see if it’s still fresh.
5. If you have a reusable filter, clean it off. If you use disposable filters, throw them away once it’s dirty.
6. Insert your new filter (or cleaned reusable filter).
7. Close your filter compartment.
8. Turn on the power to your HVAC system again.

Let Howard Air Handle Your Home’s HVAC Maintenance

At Howard Air, we understand the importance of good air quality for a healthy and comfortable home. That’s why we make sure to always provide reliable and efficient HVAC maintenance services.

Howard Air is a trusted HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation service provider for homeowners and building managers in the Phoenix area. Our team of experienced technicians is equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to handle any HVAC maintenance task.

Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repair services, or a new installation, we are here to help. We take pride in providing reliable and efficient services and always make sure your filters are in good condition before we leave. Our team is available 24/7, so you never have to wait for help.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help keep your home comfortable all year round.

Image Credit: Serenethos/grandbrothers/Michael O’Keene/Shutterstock