In this COVID-19
pandemic, it’s not a good idea to call an HVAC professional in your house for
simple DIY HVAC work like changing the air filter unless it is a major HVAC
emergency like complete AC breakdown. But to have clean air, you must replace
the air filter regularly. In this article, I’ll tell you the DIY way to change
the air filter in lockdown. But before that, you should know how often you
should change your HVAC air filter.
How Often Should I Replace the Air Filter & Factors Behind It
If you’re using a
cheap fiberglass HVAC filter in your HVAC system it’s recommended that you should change the HVAC air filter
every 30 days. On the other hand, if you’re using a pleated HVAC air filter,
you should replace the air filter every 60 to 90 days. But there’re some other
factors to consider while replacing the HVAC air filter.
Those who have
allergy problems are more sensitive to dust and small particles. If you’ve
someone in your family that has an allergy problem or asthma, you should change
your HVAC air filter every 2 months.
If you have a pet in
your house then you should change your HVAC air filter every 50 to 60 days. Pet
dogs or cats sometimes produce bad odor and sheds a lot during season change.
As a result, your HVAC air filter gets dirty quickly. That’s why to have clean
air inside your home, you should change the HVAC air filter every 2 months.
Again, the lifespan
of your HVAC air filter depends on the usage. As everyone is staying at home in
this pandemic and using your HVAC system consistently, you should
change your HVAC air filter (Fiberglass air filter) every 4 to 6 weeks.
The size of the
house also impacts the lifespan of an HVAC air filter. If you live in a small
house, your HVAC system will have to work less to produce the desired heating
and cooling, On the other hand, if you have a bigger house, your HVAC system
will have to work harder to produce the heating and cooling. As a result, your
HVAC air filter will get dirty very quickly. So, if you live in a big house,
you’ll have to change your HVAC air filter every 35 to 50 days.
Now, I’ll tell you
about the step-by-step ways to change your HVAC air filter.
How
to Change My HVAC Air Filter
Step
1: Turn Off Your HVAC System
Before changing your
HVAC air filter, you’ll have to turn off your HVAC system. This step is a part
of the safety procedure, and it’s mandatory because if you change your HVAC air
filter while the HVAC system is on, you can be electrocuted. In this pandemic
you definitely don’t want to find yourself in an overwhelmed hospital.
Step
2: Locate the Return Air Duct
After turning off
your HVAC system, locate the return air duct in your HVAC system, and open the
door with the clip. You’ll find the clip at the frame of your HVAC system.
After opening the door, you’ll see the air filter. However, some HVAC systems
are different. If you don’t find an air filter in the return air duct then you
should check the HVAC manuals.
Step
3: Measure the Air Filter Size
Now, remove the air
filter from your HVAC system and measure the dimension of it. After measuring
the dimension, go to your nearby hardware shop and buy an HVAC air filter
accordingly. However, if you already know the dimension of your HVAC air
filter, you can skip this step.
Step
4: Installation
After buying an HVAC
air filter, it’s time for installation. First, open the door and replace the
old HVAC air filter with a new HVAC air filter. While replacing the new HVAC
air filter, make sure that the “Air Flow” arrows are pointed to the openings.
Now, close the door, and you’re done.
Pro Tips
While replacing the
HVAC air filter, make sure that there’s no gap around the HVAC filter frame. If
you notice any gap then you may have bought a small-sized HVAC air filter.
Again, you can use a
rag to clean the excess dust while replacing the HVAC air filter. After
installing an HVAC air filter, turn on your HVAC system, and observe whether
the filter stays in place or not.
See the summary of
this content here in our infographic – How
to Change Air Filter in Lockdown [Infographic]
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