You need to change your air filter, but it has been a while, and you aren\u2019t sure where to start. Never fear, we\u2019re here to help! Clean air filters improve your indoor air quality and minimize the wear and tear on your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. When you insert your air filter the wrong way, it can\u2019t filter your home\u2019s air efficiently, which can lead to a variety of maintenance problems. You can experience even\u00a0worse problems if you never change your air filter at all! Here we dive into how to replace your air filter the correct way in five easy steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your air filter can collect a lot of dust, so it\u2019s important to always turn off the power to your furnace. If the power remains on, your HVAC system will circulate dust, pollen, and dirt through the vents and into your home. Yikes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most instances, your filter is located near your furnace. If you need help locating your furnace or air conditioner filter, then click\u00a0here. You may have a return air grille, air cleaner cabinet, or media type filter. It all depends on your type of HVAC system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be careful when you pull out your old air filter since it has probably collected quite a bit of dust and other particles. To properly dispose of the used filter, place it in a large trash bag, tie it up, and place it in an outside garbage bin. If you\u2019re worried about throwing your air filter away, check out our\u00a0washable filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, most air filters are designed so that they will not fit properly unless they are inserted correctly. Look for the airflow arrows printed on the side of the air filter that indicate which direction the filter should be inserted. (Shown in the image below.) When you insert the new filter, the arrow should point toward the furnace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you\u2019ve learned to properly change your air filter, you can enjoy your clean, filtered air! Need new filters? We have you covered with\u00a0high-quality filters<\/a>\u00a0at the lowest prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOTE:<\/strong> In case your filter is missing an airflow arrow, there is typically a wire mesh on the downstream side of the filter. This wire\u2019s purpose is to give the filter the rigidity and strength it needs to capture particles. If your air filter doesn\u2019t have an airflow arrow, then make sure the wire mesh is facing the blower of your HVAC system since this is the last surface the air touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n