clean-air-filter

There are a lot of measures you should take to make sure that your air conditioner is kept in good shape throughout the summer season. Most of the best ways to keep your air conditioner running properly involve HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional services, especially preventive regular maintenance. However, there is also a specific step that you can personally take to keep your system healthy. Let’s have a look at the air filter, why it’s important, and how to keep it from harming your air conditioner.

The Air Filter

There are a lot of particulates that are found in the ductwork of an average home. Dust, pollen, dander, and other allergens can buildup and can cause issues for the air conditioner if they manage to make it into the system, and the system tries to process dirty air, allowing the pollutants to get into the system. The air filter is meant to protect the air conditioner from these contaminants. The filter sits in the air return duct of the system, or air handler cabinet, and filters all air that runs through the system. While the filter is effective at preventing the air conditioner from becoming damaged, there is one problem: the filter has no way of getting rid of the particles that it collects. If the filter isn’t replaced every few months, it will become clogged.

A clogged air filter will cut off most of the air flow from making it into the air conditioner. This clogged filter cuts into the air conditioner’s output levels by a significant amount, preventing it from properly cooling the home. It can also cause long term problems for your air conditioning unit, like part malfunctions, if it isn’t dealt with in a timely fashion. AC units are meant to have free flowing air through the air ducts, and regardless of the type of filter you have, if your AC filter is a dirty filter, you’re causing your system to run poorly, reducing indoor air quality, and ultimately reducing the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Changing Your Air Filter

Fortunately for you, you don’t have to have a professional change your air conditioner’s air filter if you want to do it yourself. An air filter replacement for your air conditioning system can be an easy fix for any DIY homeowner, and will extend the lifespan of your cooling system. Just make sure that you have the right kind of replacement filter handy, and right filter size for your central air conditioning system. There are washable, pleated, fiberglass, reusable and disposable filters. No matter the type of HVAC filter you use, they all should have a MERV rating for reducing pollutants, and when your old one needs replacing, filter changes can help improve many things; evern your energy bills!

 

The air return duct is the point at which the ducts meet the main body of the air conditioner, this can also be referred to as the air handler. Somewhere in that area there should be a cover. Open it, and pull out the old air filter. Make note of the direction that the arrows on the edge of the air filter are pointing.

 

Once the old air filter is removed, slide the new air filter into place. Make sure that the arrows on the filter are pointing in the same direction. That done, just slide the cover back into place. That should be all you need to do to make sure that your air conditioner is properly protected by the filter. Make sure that you change your filter at least once every three months, in order to maintain the protection on the air conditioner. If you aren’t sure what kind of air filter your system uses, or you want to have someone show you how to do it properly the first time, we’d be happy to help you out.

 

Climate Control Heating & Cooling offers air conditioning services of all kinds throughout Kansas City, MO. If you need help with your air conditioner, thermostat, furnace or most any plumbing need, contact us today to schedule an appointment and get Comfort & Care from the Team with the Bear!