Whenever you read anything about making sure that your air conditioning unit is as efficient as possible, it is always recommended that you change the filter on a regular basis so that the air conditioning unit does not have to work as hard to pump the cold air to the rest of your home. However, if you are not familiar with air conditioners, you might not know where to look for your air conditioning filter. Here are the places where the filter is commonly located.
1. Central Air Return Register
If your home is equipped with central air, then you are going to want to look at the return register to find the filter. This register is essentially a grille that is installed in one of the walls or ceilings in your home. This register is usually located near your air conditioning unit if you only have one grille. If you have multiple return registers, then you will have to check each one to see if it contains the filter. Once you've found it, remove the grille and the filter, and then replace the filter and the grille.
2. Attic Air Conditioner
Some other air conditioning systems operate in the warmest areas of your house and allow the air to sink down towards the lower levels. This type of system is known as the attic air handling system. You will need to go up to the attic and look at the equipment that is up there. It will usually be near a window so that it has access to the fresh air that it needs. Go up to the handler and search for a panel that looks like it can be removed. If there are multiple panels, see if you can remove any of them without hurting the equipment. When you remove the cover, look for a slot that has a small handle jutting out of it. This is the filter. Pull out the filter and replace it with the new one.
3. Electrostatic Air Conditioner
Finally, if your air conditioning system has an electrostatic cleaner, you are going to want to check around this cleaner because it is using static electricity to draw the particles near it. You will know that you are feeling the electrostatic cleaner if you feel a slight shock near the area. Look for the small slit in the equipment that signifies that the filter is present.
For more information, talk to a company that specializes in commercial and residential air conditioning, such as Associated Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
