Category: How To

Air Innovations LLC Explains How to Change an AC Filter

Though they are a feature of the home that tends to go overlooked, air conditioning filters are vital to indoor air quality. AC filters not only help keep your home’s air clean, but they also contribute to your entire HVAC system working more efficiently. To ensure your air conditioning filter is effectively doing its job, it’s essential to change it when you notice a buildup. Over time, dust, debris, allergens, and various particles will accumulate in the filter as your system pulls in air. Don’t worry! This is normal and means your air conditioning filter is working correctly. The problem is, dirty AC filters block the free flow of air and drastically reducing the efficiency of your cooling system. Learning how to maintain your air conditioning filter properly will ensure your HVAC system is running reliably.

Locating Your Air Conditioning Filter

It may seem self-explanatory but finding your air conditioning filter can be one of the hardest aspects of actually changing your filter. When looking within a home or business, there are several places your HVAC system and AC filter could be located. Typically, your filter will be found in the following locations:

• Central air return register – this is a larger sized grille often situated in an open area of the home, such as the wall, ceiling, or floor. The AC filter can be found behind the grill, which you will probably need a screwdriver to remove.
• Air handler – homes that have multiple return registers will often have AC filters that are installed right in front of the air handler. Look for a long, narrow slot on your HVAC system; you should be able to slide the filter right out.
• Window unit – you will find this AC filter in, you guessed it, your window. The filter will be located directly behind the place on the unit where the cold air is released.

Some homes and businesses have multiple HVAC systems, which will require you to search several locations and make AC filter replacements accordingly. Some possible areas of the house to check for your HVAC systems include:

• Attics
• Garages
• Basements
• Crawlspaces
• Small Closet (for apartment owners)

When it comes to the filter itself, look for a slot containing that will look like a large windowpane with a frame made of cardboard or plastic. The inside portion of the air conditioning filter is typically ribbed or pleated in a crisscross design and will vary in color depending on the age of the filter. If after searching you are still unable to find your AC filter, contact our seasoned professionals at Air Innovations, LLC, and we’d love to assist you.

When to Change Your Air Conditioning Filter

Now that you’ve found where your air conditioning filters are located, you can begin checking to see if they need replacing. The are many factors that will indicate if your filter is no longer serving its purpose, which will affect energy efficiency, your home’s comfort levels, as well as air circulation and quality. Some tell-tale signs your AC filter needs changing are:

• The filter is noticeably gray in color and contains dirt and dust build up on its pleats and inner crevices
• You notice that your home has become dustier than usual
• Your cooling system is cycling longer than it typically would
• Your allergies seem to be acting up while in the home
• Your filter has been in use longer than the specific manufacturers recommended time-frame

The average air conditioning filter needs replaced every 90 days. If you or someone in your family has asthma or allergies, that time-frame drops to 42 days (change every six weeks.) Additionally, if you have pets living in your home that shed, you will want to replace your AC filter every two months to make up for excess hair buildup (the same time-frame will apply for people who smoke inside their home). A good rule of thumb: when in doubt, it’s always a better idea to replace your filter. They are relatively inexpensive and could save you from having to make some significant HVAC repairs in the future.

How to Change Your Air Conditioning Filter

Now that you are equipped with the necessary information surrounding air conditioning filtration, it’s time to change your AC filter. This is the easiest part of the entire process and can be completed in a few simple steps. To start,

• Carefully remove the dated filter. You should be able to pull the frame out of the designated slot with little to no force.
• Thoroughly wipe down the area around the slot with a damp washcloth, making sure to remove any dust or cobwebs that could hinder your new filter from working correctly.
• Date the new filter. This is an important step many tend to forget. By writing the replacement date on the frame of your new filter, it will make it easy to recall the last time it was replaced.
• Slide the new filter into place. There will be arrows on the frame indicating the direction in which the air will be pulled into the register/air handler. Make sure your filters arrows are pointing into the system, not towards the house.

It’s as simple as that! If when you are changing your air conditioning filter, and you notice excessive dust in return ducts, water around the air handler, or any other issues you’ll want to reach out to professionals as soon as possible.

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Calculator how much money you can save by upgrading your unit to a more efficient SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) with the link above!

What is SEER?

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the ratio of the total cooling output of an air conditioner over the length of a season to the total amount of energy consumed during that period. The InspectAPedia website gives a good account of the SEER definition and its meaning in practical terms.

The cooling power of an air conditioner is normally defined in terms of BTU (British Thermal Units) per hour. A few decades ago, when energy was relatively cheap, buyers chose models for their cooling power alone. These days, with the ever-rising costs of energy, buyers are more concerned with the cost to produce the level of cooling power they want.

In other words, the operating cost.

The SEER rating of AC units allows you to compare operating costs between one model and the next. Many years ago, it wouldn’t have been uncommon to find an air conditioner with a SEER of 6 to 10.

However, from January 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy laid down minimum regional standards for split-system central air conditioners. In the Southwestern region of the country, which includes Nevada, the minimum SEER rating must be 14.

However, there are HVAC units that can reach upwards of 26 SEERs.

The Facts About SEER Ratings

How SEER Ratings Are Determined

All air conditioners are rated according to efficiency tests stipulated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Tests assume an outdoor temperature of 82˚F, an indoor temperature of 80˚F and an indoor relative humidity of 50%.

This rating system implies that an AC unit with a SEER rating of 16 is 60% more efficient than a 10 SEER unit. Of course, this is only relevant if the conditions in your home match those of the test. It would be impossible for the DOE to rate the efficiency according to the conditions in each home.

In reality, climate varies greatly across the country. In Las Vegas, the average July maximum temperature is 106˚F, way above the 82˚F used to rate the air conditioner. This will affect the rated efficiency of the unit.

There are other factors that will affect the efficiency of an air conditioning system. These include the quality of the home insulation and the presence of any leaks in the system or associated ducting.

You Can Use SEER to Calculate Your Energy Consumption

Wikipedia gives a good breakdown of how to do this calculation. You can calculate your energy consumption just by using the ratings of your air conditioner.

As an example, let’s take a 24,000 BTU/h air conditioner unit with a SEER rating of 16 BTU/Wh operating 8 hours a day, for 125 days over the summer season.

The total cooling output over this period would be: 24000 x 8 x 125 = 24,000,000 BTU.

With a SEER rating of 16, the electrical energy usage would be: 24,000,000 / 16 = 1,500,000 Wh = 1500 kWh.

If your electricity cost is 12c/kWh, then your total electricity cost over this period would be: 1500 x 0.12 = $180.

Remember, this is based on conditions used for the SEER rating, which are an outdoor temperature of 82˚F, an indoor temperature of 80˚F and humidity of 50%.

With higher outdoor temperatures experienced in the Las Vegas summer, you would use more electricity to cool the air down.

The Minimum SEER Rating

The DOE stipulates minimum standards for split air conditioning systems in each region of the U.S. These regulations came into effect as of January 2015. Nevada falls within the Southwestern region where a minimum SEER rating of 14 is mandatory.

The Payback from Higher SEER Rated Air Conditioners

There is quite a jump in price from SEER 12 to the higher rated air conditioners. However, they typically pay for themselves through energy savings within a few years. The exact break-even point will depend largely on how many hours a day your AC unit runs.

SEER Rating in Terms of Energy

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is defined as the ratio of the total cooling output of an air conditioner over a season (BTU), to the total amount of energy consumed by the unit during that period (Wh). An air conditioner with a SEER of 14 will use 1Wh of electricity to extract 14 BTUs of heat from the air in your home.

Higher SEER Ratings Help the Environment

By reducing the amount of electricity consumed, higher SEER rated air conditioners can help in the global drive to save the environment. The energy savings equate to taking a couple of vehicles off the road over the life of the AC unit.

SEER Ratings Decrease Over Time

Air conditioners become less efficient as time goes on, with a corresponding decrease in their SEER rating. The best way to prolong the lifespan of your AC unit is to schedule regular air conditioning maintenance with a professional HVAC company.

A/C Maintenance Reminder!

Summer is here! Remember to have your systems health check and maintenance done! Here are some things you can do to keep your system running ice cold and clean.

When To Change Your Air Filters

This is not a trick; simply put – when your air filters are dirty, change them. Choosing how often to change your air filters can depend on several factors:

• Type of filter your A/C system requires
• The overall air quality of your North America area home
• Pets – Birds, cats, dogs, hamsters (do you have one?), etc.
• Number of occupants in the house
• General air pollution in the North America area or construction taking place nearby

For your typical 1″-3″ air filters, the manufacturer specs basically say to change them bi-monthly, which is, in fact, a great rule of thumb. However, general guidelines are not applicable to all. If you have to tolerate light to moderate allergies, you may need to upgrade the air filter or change them even more regularly than OEM specifications. On the other hand, if you’re in a remote area, own an infrequently occupied home (like a vacation home) or an area where there are fewer cars around, replacing your air filters each year may be quite sufficient. Why do pets matter so much? They have a tendency to shed, which can clog your air filter fast. Clearly, the air filter is just doing its job by capturing pet hair and dander, but tremendously dirty filters can cause weak HVAC performance.

In summary:

• Seldom used home or single occupant homes without pets or allergies: Change 6-12 months
• A typical suburban home without pets: Change every 90 days
• Add a dog or cat: Change every 60 days
• Multiple pets or have allergies: Change every 30-45 days