How to Change the AC Filter

Changing or cleaning your air filter each month is one of the most important things you can do for your air conditioner. A dirty filter may cause the system to freeze, overwork some of the parts, and even damage the compressor. Learn more about how to change the filter, how to find it, and why you should schedule professional maintenance services once a year.

How to Locate, Replace, and Clean Your AC Filter

Here are some steps you can follow when changing or cleaning your filter.

• Find the filter: This is one of the most difficult parts of the process. It may be located on the air conditioning cabinet itself. Often, you’ll find it behind a return air grille in your home, which may be on the wall or ceiling in a central location. In some cases, there is more than one return grille and multiple filters that must be changed or cleaned.
• Determine whether yours is reusable: Disposable filters are sometimes preferred to washable filters, since replacement is easier than cleaning and they often come with higher performance ratings. If yours is not washable, don’t attempt to clean it. Find a filter of the same size and replace it instead. You may need to call a technician to determine whether yours can or cannot be cleaned.
• Vacuum the dust: Use a vacuum hose and attachment to clean up the loose dust and debris on the filter.
• Use a hose: Use a regular garden hose at a very low pressure to rinse off any additional dust and debris. Let your filter dry for a couple of hours before placing it back into the system.

AC Filter Maintenance: Why It’s Only the First Step

It’s also important to note that there are other steps you should take if you want to keep your air conditioner maintained. Cleaning the coils is just as important as changing the filter, but you should contact professionals if you want it done right. Dirty coils can cause reduced cooling, a frozen system, or other damages, so contact a professional technician once a year for maintenance services.

AC Designs, Inc. carries filters of all sizes and offers excellent and thorough maintenance services to our customers in Jacksonville, FL. Call us today!