Changing the air filters in your HVAC systems such as furnaces for houses/townhomes or fan coils for condos is an essential practice that ensures clean air circulates throughout your home. Without a clean air filter, your HVAC unit works harder and is prone to more breakdowns. Many residents are unaware of how often air filters need to be replaced, leaving their system vulnerable to damage. Here’s why it is important for you to do so for your well-being and for the HVAC system to work properly.
Residents at Refinity Homes are reminded to replace the filters of their HVAC system in their homes regularly (minimum every 3 months) as part of our lease agreement.
Why Change Fancoil or Furnace Filter?
- Higher Bills—When an HVAC filter is clogged, your system has to work harder to pull air through the home. This causes it to run for longer periods of time, increasing the energy bill (gas/electricity bills)
- Health Issues & Poor Indoor Air Quality—If a filter isn’t working properly, dusts, allergens, and bacteria can circulate throughout your home and cause allergies and respiratory illnesses for you and other residents at home.
- System Failure—An HVAC system has to work hard to pull air through a clogged filter. This continuous strain on the unit can cause it to break, causing to times without heating or cooling and even expensive repair bills.
How to Tell When You Need to Change Your HVAC filter
Air filters and furnace filters should be checked at least once each month. If they are dirty they should be changed with a new air filter. When removing the air filter from the air-handler check to see if the filter is dirty / clogged – hold up a light through the filter and if you can’t see the light through the filter, then it’s definitely time for it to be changed.
Change your air filter every three months, however, there are many factors to consider when determining when to change out an old filter such as children, type of filter, pets, and allergens
How to Change Your Filter
Here’s how to change your air filter when it’s time for a replacement.
- Buy the right size filter—To find the size of your filter, check the old filter, which should have the size printed on one of its sides. If you can’t locate the size of the old filter, use a measuring tape to check its length, width, and depth.
- Turn off your HVAC system—Flip the switch on your thermostat to turn off the unit, or turn your system completely off at the breaker.
- Locate the filter—Your air filter is located in one of two places: a return duct or the air handler located in an attic, basement, mechanical room, or utility closet. For condo there are dedicated fan coil installed on the walls so you just have to prop up the cover to find the filter.
- Remove the cover to the air filter—If your air filter is located in the system’s air handler, open the access panel. This may require a cross head screwdriver to remove the small screws securing it. If your filter is in the return duct, flip the latches that hold the grille and remove it.
- Replace the old filter with the new one—Take the old filter from its place. Take the new filter and place it inside, making sure the airflow arrows on the filter are pointed into the unit.
- Replace the cover and turn on HVAC system—After replacing the filter, turn your system back on to ensure the filter is situated correctly and the air is circulating smoothly.
Wrapping Up
Are you facing a major repair and want some guidance on finding the right company to do the repair? Do you want to use a management company to reduce the chance of these repairs happening with the proper preventative maintenance? We can help with home repairs!
Reach out to us at 604-227-2077 or hello@refinityhomes.com
