How to Find and Replace the Air Filter in Your Apartment

Air handlers are usually tucked away in a closet in your apartment. To access the air filter, look for a slot with a removable cover on the air handler. Depending on the orientation of the air handler in the indoor unit, the filter can be positioned horizontally or vertically. It is important to replace your apartment's air filter every 1 to 3 months.

The exact frequency may vary depending on several factors, such as your home's HVAC system, the type of filters used, your lease requirements, or particularly dusty conditions. Along with any health problems that may be worsened by breathing unfiltered air and reducing your energy bill by not having a clogged filter, it is important to change the filter. Put a reminder on your calendar or choose an easy-to-remember day, such as the first day of the month, so you always know when it's time to change your apartment's air filter. If you have access to the HVAC system in your rental home, you will generally be responsible for replacing the air filters.

You can order them online or pick them up at almost any local home improvement store. Or, if ordering online isn't your thing, you can pick up some air filters at almost any local home improvement store (for example, if you're lucky, the owner may have left you a couple of extra air filters that you can use to replace). Once you have located and replaced your air filter, it is important to check it regularly. If it is only slightly covered, or if you can still see light through the filter material, you may want to clean the filter and check it again within a month.

Since changing your air filter regularly can help an apartment's air conditioner run smoothly, some apartment complexes may take care of it for you. Replacing the air filter in your apartment is easy, usually you just have to put it in place or slide it into place. Whether you're moving to a new home or always letting the technician handle the work during annual reviews, it is important to know how to locate and replace the air filter in your home.