The Complete Guide to Air Filter Replacement
Any homeowner knows that dust, pet hair, pollen, and many other nasty particles end up in the air filters of your home. This makes air filter replacement crucial. It doesn't matter whether you have filters for an HVAC system, furnace filters, or ac filters. All these filters capture and trap particles that can breed bacteria, mold spores, and dust mites. They should regularly be cleaned and replaced.
The easiest way to improve indoor air quality is by taking good care of your air filters. If you have allergies to pollen, pet dander, or other airborne allergens, you should replace that dirty filter.
Furthermore, you can greatly increase your minimum efficiency reporting value. Appliances with proper airflow use less energy. You won't believe the difference in your energy bills before and after.
In this article, we'll go over all you need to know about air filter replacement.
How Do I Know When I Need a New Filter?
Air filters are a vital part of many different appliances and there are also several of them in your car.
- You should take a look at the instruction manuals for everything that comes with an air filter. Take note of the recommended lifespan of the filter.
- Keeping track of the dates that you'll have to replace your air filters on a calendar or your phone is a great way to make sure you don't forget about them.
- It's also never a bad idea to check out the amount of dust in any of your air filters. Even before the manual says to replace it.
- Filters in places that have more airborne particles than usual will need to be replaced more often.
An air filter needs to be cleaned and replaced when it looks like air can't get through.
How Do I Know Which Filter to Buy?
First of all, make sure that you don't have reusable filters in your vehicle or appliance. If you do, you won't need to buy anything. You'll just need to wash it. Then put the clean air filter where it was.
The easiest way to ensure you're buying the correct disposable filters is to buy the same ones that are already in the appliance. You'll know for sure that they'll fit. Indeed, in some cases, you'll have no choice but to go with the single brand that works on your device.
At times, you'll have options and be able to shop for the cheapest filters possible. You'll want to write down the filter size and dimensions to ensure you get something that fits.
Where Can I Find Air Filters?
Most hardware stores have a large selection of air filters. You can also buy filters online, from places like Filter King.
How to Replace an Air Filter
This process will be slightly different depending on the type of air filter you're replacing. For example, the steps necessary to replace a cabin filter are different from those needed to replace an engine air filter.
Access the existing filter. Removal is usually a simple process that revolves around unclipping the old filter and sliding it out.
Be careful to avoid making a mess. It’s often best to already have an open garbage bag ready to go. Then you can have as little mess to clean up as possible afterward.
Summing Up
There's no time like the present for checking your air filters for dirt and debris. Each day that you delay air filter replacement, you're missing out on fresh air. You’re also decreasing the MERV rating of your home and the engine life and the fuel efficiency of your car.
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