HOW TO REPLACE A FURNACE FILTER
Some of us break into a sweat when we read the word furnace in a sentence. I start to sweat when I read the words furnace or HVAC in a buyer’s inspection summary.
But learning how to replace a furnace filter is a great way to show some love to your home’s largest and priciest mechanical system.
I am here to walk you through how to replace a furnace filter.
Fall is a great reminder to change the furnace filter.
Just remember, if you can place a baking sheet in the oven you can change the filter inside your furnace.
This is a funny comparison because sometimes the only thing I get right in a recipe is placing the baking sheet in the oven.
You got this!
Last year I shared these suggestions in anticipation of the unofficial f season announcement … Daylight Savings.
FURNACE FILTERS
Fall is a great time to change the waffle-looking filters in your furnace. Some of you may be introducing yourself to your furnace for the first time.
My dad has already changed his this year (twice).
Sidenote: Remember to replace the 9-volt backup batteries in your smoke detectors).
Our furnace is located in the lower level (basement).
I love to start the fall season with new filters. We have a second furnace on the top level of our brownstone in the suburbs.
I bet Tes Lasso gets as excited as I do at the mention of furnace filters.
Speaking of Ted… did you hear the rumor?
HOW TO REPLACE A FURNACE FILTER
I got you covered on the how-to and the install details.
STEPS TO REPLACE THE FURNACE FILTER
- LOCATE YOUR FURNACE– Seriously not all furnaces are located in the basement. We have an octopus of a furnace which includes three furnace filters in the upstairs bedrooms. This is in my son’s bedroom ceiling.
2. OPEN THE “TRAY” OR “LID” that houses your filter. Hopefully, you have an existing filter in place. Take note of the directional arrow of the old filter.
Remove the filter and take note of the size (dimensions).
3. TAKE A PHOTO OR RECORD THE DIMENSIONS This will save you a zillion minutes trying to remember or guestimate the size of the filter.
Tip: I added the size of my filters to my contacts under “furnace” for future reference.
4. SOURCE ONLINE OR HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES
Ordering filters online was a game-changer for me.
I chose this Made in USA brand. There are multiple American-made brands for filters! Yay!
If you are a reader at Everyday Edits you know my passions are upcycling and finding Made in the USA brands.
5. REMOVE THE DIRY FILTER
This step should come with a warning.
I took a side-by-side photo to see the difference between filters. This is a great visual to motivate you to purchase or order filters!
When I removed the filter from Evan’s room I had a bit of mom guilt. .
6. INSERT NEW FILTER
Remember this is as easy as sliding a cookie sheet into an oven.
Just pay attention to the directional arrows of which side (it may not matter) to reinsert the clean filter.
Ironically our house furnace is twenty years old. It has been cleaned and serviced routinely. Every fall when the temps dip below seventy I anxiously await for the heat to “kick on.”
But I always add a fresh filter in the fall and spring!
I would love it if you pinned this to your Pinterest Boards (tips, cleaning, house maintenance). No surprise I love creating Pinterest boards!
If you like home-related tips and one-hour project ideas please sign up for my weekly newsletter.
Ours is a little different set up but I do know how to change the filter. What’s the Ted rumor???
Talk of another season of Ted Lasso!
This was quite useful and timely! Hubs just pulled ours out and it was gross! Oh my gosh Ted Lasso…I tell everyone to watch it and they love it too. I watched it a second time and loved it even more!