Everything You Need to Know About Air Filters

In most apartments, the air conditioning unit is usually located in a small cabinet and the oven filter should be within easy reach. Look for a long, narrow slot with a removable cover. The filter is installed so that the arrow (and airflow) shows the air moving through the filter INTO the duct system (on a central air return grille) or TOWARD the air handler (for filters installed in the blower unit). If you have a new house and can't find the filter in the attic air conditioning unit, there are no filters on the roof suction pipes.

This is important because many filters are reinforced to prevent the airflow from collapsing the filter material and introducing it directly into the blower fan. These systems move air from a return chamber (connected to the return duct end of the system) through a cooling coil (for air conditioning) or a heat exchanger (for heating systems). There is an oven air filter in the blower, but the location of the blower is different depending on the furnace installation. Every month, during the heating or cooling season, it is essential to inspect the type and condition of your air conditioner filter.

The air handler draws air out of the house through the return duct system and then blows it through the heating or cooling system and returns it back to your home via the ducting system. If your system has been operating in heating mode, you will notice that the supply or exhaust air ends of the ducts connected to your air handler will be warm to touch and that the inlet or return air ducts will be cooler. Central air conditioning filters (or heating system filters if hot air heat is also used) can sometimes be hard to find. For many of these systems, a filter or set of air filters is located inside the cabinet that contains your blower fan itself.

It is recommended to have a filter on your air inlets as it helps keep your return ducts and fan fan clean; however, if you already have a proper air filter installed in or near your air handler that should protect your fan from dust, it is important to be careful when adding more layers of filtration without consulting with your HVAC company about your system's airflow rate requirements and avoiding any additional filters that could slow down your air supply through your system. Other vertical air handlers may be a downflow unit that has return air entering at the top of your air handler or blower and then passes to supply ducts connected at its bottom. From sizes to types, qualities and more, here's an expert's guide on everything you need to know about air filters. It is important to understand what type of filter you need for your specific HVAC system as well as how often you should replace it for optimal performance.

The most common type of filter used in residential HVAC systems is a pleated media filter. These filters are made from synthetic fibers that are pleated together to create a larger surface area for trapping dust particles and other airborne contaminants. Pleated media filters come in various sizes and MERV ratings, which indicate their efficiency at capturing particles of different sizes. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient it will be at capturing smaller particles such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and smoke. Another type of filter used in residential HVAC systems is an electrostatic filter.

These filters use an electrical charge to attract dust particles and other airborne contaminants. They are more efficient than pleated media filters at capturing smaller particles such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and smoke. It is important to replace your HVAC system's filter regularly for optimal performance. Depending on your specific HVAC system and type of filter used, you should replace it every 1-3 months. If you have pets or live in an area with high levels of dust or other airborne contaminants, you may need to replace it more frequently. When replacing your HVAC system's filter, make sure you choose one that is compatible with your specific HVAC system and has an appropriate MERV rating for capturing particles of different sizes.