As a tenant, changing your A/C filters is not only your responsibility, it is essential to keeping your unit(s) running smoothly. The more dirt a filter holds, the harder your system has to work to pull air through it. The harder it works, the more energy it uses and the higher your electricity bill is. What’s more, changing your filters regularly will cut down on indoor air pollutants and help keep your A/C unit from breaking down.
As a rule of thumb, filters should be changed once every four to six weeks during the peak cooling season, which in Florida runs from June to around mid September. But it’s also important to change your filters during our winter heating system as well because the same unit that cools your home also heats it.
Fortunately, changing your filters is a simple and quick task. Here’s what you do:
Locate and Remove Your Filter(s)
- The filter, or filters are usually located inside the vents that draw the air out of the room. Check each intake vent in the house to determine all filter locations.
- Open the duct cover. Most covers have either a thumb screw or are held in place with simple fasteners that you pull toward you to open.
- Remove the old filter carefully so you do not disturb the dust and dirt is has collected any more than necessary.
Install New Filters
- The filter should be marked somewhere on the side with the size. Sizes are represented by length and width: 12×12, for example. If yours isn’t marked, simply use a ruler to measure the outer dimensions of the filter’s length and width.
- Buy new filters from your local hardware or home supply store. Filters come in many different varieties from the more inexpensive unit that you will need to change an air conditioner filter more often to a higher-grade filter that will trap many smaller particles and can prevent allergens from entering the air system in your home.
- Slide the air filter into your air conditioning unit the same way the old one came out. Make sure the filter is placed into the compartment with the correct side facing out. Filters are usually marked with an arrow facing in one direction. Install the filter so the arrow points into the duct, and not out into the room. If the replacement filters you are buying are not marked this way, as your salesperson for assistance identifying the correct direction for the filters to face.
- Close and re-fasten the duct vent cover.
- Turn your A/C back on.
- Enjoy cooler, cleaner air and a lower electric bill!
Here’s a video that will guide you through the process.
This money-saving tip is brought to you by Tampa-Rental-House.com , you source for rental homes in the Tampa Bay area, and the team at J.B. Management.
Have a great summer!
Best Regards,
Dee Dee Cornelius
Broker