Your HVAC system is essential for maintaining comfort in your home throughout the year

Your HVAC system is essential for maintaining comfort in your home throughout the year. Like most property owners, you probably don't give it much consideration until something malfunctions. But did you realize that regular maintenance can prevent issues and significantly extend the lifespan of your air filter? This ensures year-round comfort and helps you avoid expensive filter replacements.

Continue reading to discover everything you need to understand about air filter maintenance, from recognizing the signs of a contaminated filter to selecting the appropriate replacement filters.

Let's begin.

Indicators of a Contaminated HVAC Air Filter

There are multiple obvious (and not-so-obvious) signs that your filter is dirty or blocked, such as:

• Your thermostat consistently indicates it's time to replace the filter.
• The Home App notifies you that it's time to change the filter.
• The filter appears unclean or dusty.
• Family members experience increased sneezing, coughing, or display allergy reactions.
• Your residence feels stuffier than usual.
• Your utility expenses are increasing while your usage remains consistent.

It's crucial to replace your air filter consistently to prevent these issues.

What Issues Can a Contaminated HVAC Air Filter Create?

A contaminated or blocked air filter can trigger various problems, some more severe than others, including:

• Allergy reactions among family members with sensitivities.
• Respiratory complications for individuals with asthma or COPD.
• Inconsistent heating and cooling performance.
• Higher utility costs as the system operates less efficiently.
• Unforeseen (and potentially expensive) HVAC system malfunctions.

While some of these issues may have alternative causes, inspecting your air filter is an excellent starting point for HVAC diagnostics.

Where is My HVAC Filter Located?

If you own a home, you'll need to find your HVAC system components.

If you have a conventional split system, the HVAC air filter will probably be positioned near the furnace or air handler. The indoor component may be situated in your basement, attic, or utility room. Search for a small panel next to the larger unit – it might have a pull-out slot that's easy to overlook.

Alternatively, the HVAC air filter might be positioned in a large return air vent located in a wall or ceiling. These large vents are typically found where most of the airflow enters the system for cooling or heating.

The precise location of your air filter will depend on your home's construction or if you have a packaged system where both the heating and cooling elements are situated in one exterior unit.

How Frequently Should You Replace the HVAC Filter?

The frequency for replacing a furnace filter or air conditioner filter depends on the filter quality, whether you have pets, and other considerations. Generally, you should change the filter every 30-90 days. Review the manufacturer's recommended heat pump, furnace, or air conditioner filter replacement timeline for your home.

What Size Air Filter Do You Need?

Selecting the correct size of air filter will help your system operate more effectively and capture more allergens and contaminants. Review the current HVAC air filter; it will typically have dimensions printed on it. If the filter fits properly, this is the size you require.

Most filters use a standardized sizing system (like 16 x 25 x 1 or 20 x 25 x 5).

If your air filter doesn't have dimensions marked on it, you can measure it yourself and then purchase the same size. The actual dimensions reflect the true measurements of an air filter when measured.

This can be slightly confusing at times. Let's say, for instance, the standard size is rounded up to simplify the purchasing process. In this situation, the standard size would be 16 x 25 x 1 and would be the size you need to buy.

What Type of Air Filter Should You Purchase?

While we would typically advise against purchasing ultra-economical fiberglass filters, as they don't filter out very much. For a modest investment, you can enhance your home's indoor air quality and help your HVAC system operate more efficiently.

Consider a pleated filter or upgrade to a MERV filter, which represents Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It's an industry-standard measurement of how effective an HVAC air filter is at capturing small particles. It is measured on a scale.

Generally, the higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is. Most HVAC manufacturers will recommend a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 for residential use, but consult your HVAC company about which filter is most suitable for your existing system.

Should You Upgrade Your Air Filtration System?

Perhaps. If someone in your household suffers from allergies, asthma, or a respiratory condition, you might want to consider upgrading to a whole-home air cleaner that filters out fine dust and allergens. You might also want a more effective air filtration system if you have pets or reside in an area susceptible to wildfires.

American Standard offers options like the QuietBox air cleaner and the AccuClean air cleaner. Each has its own advantages. Consult with your local dealer for specific installation recommendations.

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How to Replace a Furnace Filter/Heat Pump Filter/Air Conditioner Filter

The process to replace your HVAC filter is quite similar, regardless of whether you have a furnace, AC system, or heat pump system.

1. Deactivate your HVAC system using the thermostat, circuit breaker, or power switch.
2. Open the access cover or return air vent. Pay attention to which direction the arrow on the filter indicates, as this shows you how to position the new filter.
3. Insert the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the air handler or furnace. This ensures large and small particles are captured on the proper side of the filter before entering the HVAC unit.
4. Close the cover or reinstall the vent.
5. If it's difficult for you to remember when to change the filter and your thermostat doesn't alert you, draw an arrow on the indoor unit.
6. Reactivate the system.

If you have difficulty remembering to change the filter and your thermostat doesn't display an alert, set a recurring calendar reminder on your phone. You can also buy filters in bulk.

A Note About Whole-House Air Cleaners and Ductless Mini-Splits

Whole-house air cleaners such as QuietBox and AccuClean feature significantly more efficient filtering systems and thus have different replacement schedules for replacement or cleaning. Consult your owner's manual for specifics.

QuietBox: Replace the QuietBox whole-home air cleaner filter every 6 months.

AccuClean: The AccuClean whole-home air cleaner filter needs cleaning, not replacement. Follow the instructions in your owner's manual to gently vacuum using a hose attachment the accumulated dust and debris off of the filter.

Ductless mini-splits: Each ductless AC and heat pump indoor unit or wall AC unit. Follow the directions in your owner's manual and gently vacuum and/or rinse the air filters and allow them to air dry before reinstalling.

Regular HVAC maintenance is essential for keeping your system running efficiently and extending its lifespan. At BACKYARD PROVIDER, we're committed to helping you maintain a comfortable and healthy home environment with quality HVAC solutions and expert guidance.