How to Perform an Air Conditioning Unit Filter Replacement

Even though replacing the filter in your air conditioner feels like just another burden in your life, the importance cannot be overlooked. The everyday efficiency depends on the promptness of this task, and it is the best maintenance for an air conditioning system. Regular maintenance tasks like cleaning and replacing the filters will make your system work effectively and ultimately, extend the life of the system, as well. 

It isn’t too much of a hassle when changing filters in an air conditioning system, so any homeowner can perform the task without trouble. The following steps are advised when performing filter changes or cleaning.  An HVAC specialist will not need to be present, if you follow the recommended steps. An experienced ac repair professional can be consulted, if you are unsure. If you do hire someone to help you, be sure to watch him or her carefully and you can do it yourself next time. 

Locate the filter inside the unit

There is normally a housing compartment that holds the filter inside of the air conditioning system. You can visually find the compartment by looking for the metal sliding guard that covers the filter compartment. This is the area where the filters will be located on most units. However, all units are different, so if you need to clarify where they are held, you should consult the information manual that was provided with the system. Once you find the sliding guard, slide it open and remove the filter. If it is the type that simply needs cleaned, take it out of the housing, vacuum it or bang the dust off, and replace. If it needs to be physically replaced, follow the next step. 

Decide the size of filter for the air conditioner

You can look on the sides of the filter for a number or measurements. Make a note of the size and then go to any home improvement store to make the purchase. Hardware stores or similar retailers normally keep the replacement filters on hand throughout the year. More common filters can be found even in the discount stores, as well. Consider the climate in which you live, as well, when deciding upon the filter to buy. More of a dry or dusty location may require one of the high-efficiency filters. Purchase the one that suits your residence location and one that fits your specific unit, according to the existing filter. 

Replace the filter into the air conditioning system

Before removing the filter to replace it with the new one, some people find it helpful to mark the airflow direction with a permanent marker. This is advantageous for returning the filter into the housing. A simple arrow will be enough for you to understand which direction that the filter will need to be inserted. If you use a permanent marker, it will last for years through many filter changes throughout the life of the air conditioning unit. By performing the maintenance task of changing the air filter in your air conditioning system, you will be ensuring a long–lasting, efficiency in air-cooling for your home. Otherwise, you may have to call for ac repair before the expected lifespan of an average system. 

The Basics of Fireplaces

Very few features in the home have the appeal of the fireplace. Fireplaces have been used as a place for friends to gather, lovers to relax, and families to enjoy. They have been used as a source of heat for the home and a source of pride for the homeowner. Some people have chosen their new home based on the number of fireplaces it has. Even if you owned your home for a long time or you live in an apartment, you can install a fireplace to upgrade your home. In order to choose the perfect fireplace, you should get to know the basics of them and the effects it can have on your health and finances. 

Types of Fireplaces

You can get either a masonry fireplace or a manufactured one. A masonry fireplace is made of brick or stone while the manufactured fireplace is made of sheet metal fire boxes. Both types can be fueled with wood, biofuels, natural gas, or propane. Biofuels are fuels that are made from living organisms, such as sugar cane, corn, wood, garbage, and landfill gases. You can get a ventless fireplace, which is fueled by liquid propane, gel, or natural gas. Ventless fireplaces can use an oxygen-depletion sensor that monitors the indoor air quality. With the push to create more eco-friendly products, you can also find inserts, which are fireplaces that are built into the wall and are vented out through the wall. Gas systems are vented through an exterior wall. If you want a fireplace, but don’t want the mess or your home is not conducive to a installing a ventilation system, you can get an electric fireplace that uses ceramic log that simulate fire but uses electricity to generate heat.  

The Effects on Indoor Air Quality

Fireplaces need a way to transfer the noxious products of the combustion out of the home. In the past, they used a stone or brick chimney to vent the products out of the home. However, a chimney is not energy efficient because it allowed air from the inside to escape. It also tended to make the room that housed the fireplace warmer than the rest of the house. A fireplace that burns wood has a great chance of releasing harmful substances from the wood into the air, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Both of these gases are poisonous and can cause nausea, confusion, respiratory infections, weakness, and headaches. If the wood particles do not burn completely, they can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs which will cause irritation and damage. 

Taking Care of Your Fireplace

Taking proper care of your fireplace will ensure that you will mitigate air pollution and lower fuel costs. If you have a gas fireplace, you should turn off the gas as soon as the wood begins to burn to reduce your heating costs. You should not keep the pilot light lit at all times because this will also increase your heating bill. You should make sure that you keep your fireplace clean and adhere to a regular cleaning schedule. This will extend the life of your fireplace and it will improve indoor air quality, perform safely, and lower fuel costs. If you live in a humid climate, you should invest in a dehumidifier to prevent condensation and corrosion from accumulating inside the generator. If you live in a dryer climate, you should invest in a humidifier to make sure that the moisture level is stable and proper. Make sure that you have your fireplaces, HVAC systems, chimneys, and flues inspected by a professional and repair any cracks, leaks, or any other damage.