Changing your HVAC filter is the single most important thing you can do to keep your furnace and AC running efficiently. It takes 2 minutes and prevents thousands in repair bills.
A dirty air filter restricts airflow, which makes your HVAC system work much harder. This increases energy bills and can lead to premature system failure or freezing coils.
Find your HVAC return vent or the filter slot on the furnace/air handler unit.
Slide out the old filter and note the direction of the airflow arrows printed on the side.
Insert the new filter of the correct size, ensuring the airflow arrows point toward the HVAC unit.
Add this task to your digital maintenance schedule. Get automatic reminders, log your completion dates, and store receipts.
Add to AruHomeBuying a filter with too high of a MERV rating for your system, which can restrict airflow as much as a dirty filter.
For a standard residential system, MERV 8 is usually the sweet spot. It catches dust, pollen, and mold spores without restricting airflow too much. Only use MERV 11 or 13 if your HVAC technician confirms your system can handle the pressure drop.
The size (e.g., 16x25x1) is printed directly on the cardboard frame of your existing filter.
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Get AruHome on Google PlayThis page is the checklist. Read the full explanation for when to do the job and when to call a pro.