How To Change Filter On Carrier Weathermaker 8000

For the typical homeowner, changing air conditioner filters is ane of the easiest Air conditioning maintenance tasks you can perform. And, it'south an important facet of routine heating and cooling arrangement maintenance because a make clean filter can help continue your organisation running efficiently and reliably for years.

As a role of your heating and ac system, the air filter plays two main roles:

Removal of airborne particles from the air that you breathe to amend indoor air quality
Keeping internal components gratis from dust and droppings to maintain efficiency and reliability of operation

A dirty filter can cause a number of issues with your system. It tin restrict air flow, which not only affects your comfort, simply can atomic number 82 to your system'due south air handler working harder than normal. Over time, that can cause unnecessary wear and tear on system components. In more extreme cases a chock-full filter tin can atomic number 82 to the system turning on and off many times in rapid succession (curt cycling) or even shut down completely.

To avoid these issues, exist sure to inspect, clean or replace your AC filter regularly as a part of your air conditioner maintenance routine. If you practise, you tin help proceed your system running smoothly and efficiently, and hopefully avoid an unnecessary service call from your local HVAC technician. And, once it becomes a habit, you'll discover that changing an air conditioner filter is an piece of cake, low-price way to maintain your comfort and hopefully save a trivial coin down the road.

How Often You Should Exist Changing Air Conditioner Filters

How Often to Modify Air Filters will vary based on the type of filter you lot take. For example, a basic, 1-inch air filter volition most likely need to be replaced more oftentimes than a larger iv-inch filter. You should follow the filter manufacturer's recommendations, but a good rule of pollex is to inspect your Air conditioning filter at to the lowest degree in one case every 2-3 months. Additional factors that can affect the timeline of how oft you change your filter regularly include:

Thermostat settings: If y'all tend to enjoy cooler settings in summertime, your system will run more than often, which may decrease time between filter changes. If yous set the thermostat back to save energy, you'll run the system less and potentially increase time between filter changes.
Poor system installation: An undersized system volition run longer and filters will likely collect more pollutants. Poorly installed ductwork may invite more airborne pollutants into the system equally well. Both of these examples tin potentially reduce the time betwixt filter changes.
Pets: If yous are a pet owner, the number, size and type of animals in your home might touch on timing between filter changes. Larger animals or longer-haired animals that shed more than volition shorten the time between filter changes.
Quality/historic period of home: Older homes or poorly sealed homes tend to draw more dirt, grit and other airborne pollutants from outside. Especially in areas with air pollution issues, you will probable need to inspect and replace your filter more often.

As filter inspections become a part of your routine, you might want to purchase replacement filters in advance and accept a clean filter available in case an inspection indicates it's time for a change.

How to Replace Air Conditioner Filters

Locate and Open Air Filter Cabinet

When it'due south fourth dimension to inspect your filter, ever be certain to plough off power to the system. Yous can practice this either at the thermostat, the breaker box, or using the shutoff switch located on/nigh the indoor unit (oft looks like a light switch).

The exact location of the filter can vary depending on the indoor HVAC unit and blazon of system. Most single-dwelling residential systems include either a vertical or horizontal indoor air handler unit of measurement (furnace or fan ringlet), typically in a basement, furnace/utility closet, garage or sometimes an cranium. Look for a filter chiffonier along the sides, top or bottom of the blower cabinet. The filter may be positioned horizontally or vertically, depending on the orientation of the air handler in the indoor unit. In some cases, specially on older models, the filter may be found inside the blower chiffonier. If yous live in a multifamily apartment or condo unit, the filter may be located in an in-wall return air grill.

One time you have ensured that power is close off and located the filter, take a moment to determine the management air flows through the organization. Some filters will include air menstruum arrows to ensure proper installation. If arrows are present, accept note of the direction they are pointing so you lot can properly re-install the old one or install the new one. Now, remove the filter from its housing and inspect it for excessive build-up of dust, dirt and debris.

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Figure ane: Location of the air conditioner filter on a Carrier air conditioner

Conclusion Time: Clean or Replace

Sometimes when you pull out the filter, it's painfully obvious whether it's time to clean or replace: if caked on clay and grit are falling off the surface, it's probably restricting air flow and you'll want to take action. If it's only lightly covered, or you can still see light through the filter fabric, you may want to clean the filter and so bank check again in some other month. If it'due south somewhere in between, you can default to the filter manufacturer's recommendations or use your own judgment based on your ain experience.

If yous are replacing or changing air conditioner filters, be sure to either mensurate the old filter or take note of its dimensions if printed on the casing before you throw the old one away. You will need these dimensions to buy a replacement if you don't have a replacement filter at home already.

If yous are cleaning the filter, exist certain to follow the manufacturer'due south recommendations. Many filters, whether disposable or re-usable can exist cleaned with a vacuum cleaner nozzle attachment, being conscientious not to tear the filter fabric.

Insert the Clean Filter and Turn the Air-conditioning Unit On

Carefully slide the new or cleaned filter back into its housing with the airflow arrows pointing in the correct direction. Properly secure the cabinet or panel cover, then restore power to the organization and turn it on.