Changing your HVAC system’s air filter is a job you need to take care of a few times per year. How often depends on the filter type: a simple panel filter made of fiberglass should be changed monthly, while a pleated polyester filter can be changed every 3 to 4 months. This means that, regardless of the filter type, you’ll need to change it at least once during the summer so your air conditioner can continue to work at its best.
But what if you don’t know where the filter is located? Don’t worry, this is a common dilemma that people encounter, since there’s no consistent filter location. You may have to do some hunting to pinpoint your HVAC system’s filter, but we’ll help you with that. It’s easier than you might think.
How to Find You HVAC Filter
The simplest method is to ask an HVAC professional during one of the bi-annual maintenance visits. But if it’s still too long before your next scheduled visit, the first place to start looking is around the HVAC cabinet, which is usually located in the garage, basement, or sometimes the attic.
Find the return air duct. This is the duct that comes from the inside of the house and brings in air to be cooled. The air filter is probably located in a slot where the return duct connects to the HVAC cabinet. The tricky part is that the return air duct can contact to the cabinet at different spots. Locate where the blower fan is, because the air duct will mostly likely connect to the cabinet at this point. Once you’ve found the filter, you can slide it out from its slot to replace it.
If you can’t find the filter around the HVAC cabinet, then the next place to look is the return air vent in your home. You will have to unscrew the grill from the front of the vent, and then you’ll find the filter set behind it.
If you have any questions about your air conditioning system, you can always give our technicians a call.
Freedom Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company offering service to Woodbury, MN and throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.