Problem:  My air conditioner is not moving much air. Or I have indoor alergies.

Solution Difficulty:  Easy

   An often-overlooked piece of home maintenance that can make a vast improvement in both the cooling of your home and the alleviation of indoor allergies is one of the quickest and simplest fixes. Experts suggest that you change your heating & air filter at least every three months. Products vary in cost and filtering capability so it's important to know what type of filter you need in addition to its size.

  First a little background on the so-called MERV rating: (from Filterair.info)

MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a number from 1 to 16 that is relative to an air filter's efficiency. The higher the MERV, the more efficient the air filter is at removing particles. At the lower end of the efficiency spectrum a fiberglass panel filter may have a MERV of 4 or 5. At the higher end, a MERV 14 filter is typically the filter of choice for critical areas of a hospital (to prevent transfer of bacteria and infectious diseases). Higher MERV filters are also capable of removing higher quantities of extremely small contaminant (particles as small as 1/300 the diameter of a human hair). A higher MERV creates more resistance to airflow because the filter media becomes denser as efficiency increases. For the cleanest air, a user should select the highest MERV filter that their unit is capable of forcing air through based on the limit of the unit's fan power.

  To determine both the size and maximum MERV of your air conditioner or furnace system, consult the manufacturer's specifications in the instruction booklet. Once you've decided what type of filter you need you can either order them via the Internet or make a stop at Lowe's or Home Depot. Standard fiberglass filters are the cheapest and usually available in packs. Higher end filters like the DuPont Allergen Dust & Pollen models are more expensive and usually are individually wrapped.

  Once you have your filter all you need to do is locate the access panel where the filter is installed. If your not sure of the location look near the main return vent, which is usually on a wall or on the enclosure, where the main blower fan is located. In my case the blower is mounted inside the furnace apparatus in the attic. In my experience return vents in the walls tend to pick up much more hair and dander since they are close to the floor and as such you'll want to check these to make sure they aren't blocked as this can cause damage to your heating/air system.

  It's also important to note that most air filters are directional and will have an air indicating the proper way to install them. If your not sure of the airflow direction simply put the fan switch in the "ON" position at your thermostat and place your hand in air filter opening. Just make sure you don't stick your hand into any moving parts.

This article contributed by ERSWeb
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