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If 10,000 Biters check their A/C filters every month and replace them when they're dirty, we'll save a combined $37,000 per year.

COCKTAIL FACT

The scientific name for fear of change is metathesiophobia.

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home ›   tip library ›   Replacing A/C Filters

Is fear of change standing between you and cleaner air?

The Bite

No need to panic. Changing your A/C's filter is an easy-breezy way to increase its efficiency, and cut down on indoor air pollution and anxiety over upcoming energy bills.

The Benefits

  • Scaring away pollution. Indoor air pollution levels can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels; changing your filter helps keep air cleaner.
  • Less cowering over your electric bills. You'll save 1%-2% each month.
  • Max chillax. You'll get more relief on hot days by changing or cleaning your filter, since that'll lead to optimal A/C performance.

Personally Speaking

Jenifer's fam never had a car with A/C; during road trips to places like AZ, they'd cool off by spraying their faces with water and rolling down the windows.

Wanna Try?

  1. Find the filter compartment - usually covered by a metal strip that slides in and outta place, or located behind the front grille.
  2. If it's reusable, clean it with a brush or hose. If it's disposable, check the size of the filter (usually noted on the side of the filter compartment), and get a replacement from the site below or at your local hardware store.
  3. Take out the old filter, and vacuum up any dust in the filter compartment.
  4. Slide in the new filter, making sure it's facing the right direction (usually indicated on the filter).

 

  • MERV 8 Filters - filters that fit just about any A/C, and are made from recycled materials (prices vary depending on size).

Jun 02,2008


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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.


Heat of the Moment

Like a kid deprived of sugary cereal who, once out from under the thumb of tyrannical, health-conscious parents, eats Cap'n Crunch three meals a day, so I, after years of living with the unofficial org Parents Against A/C, take great joy in artificial cooling.

But there is something to say for boosting natural tolerance...after a long, hot summer in Central and Eastern Europe, almost completely devoid of A/C, I found that I could take the heat, literally, with far less discomfort. Not only that, my allergies naturally improved after a wretched first few weeks sans antihistamines. Alas, so did my ability to drink vodka.

-Jenifer Morgan...off to cool off with a shot of Żubrówka...


Biter Comments...
Great tip - and here's a real money saver as well. I asked at the dealer what it would cost to replace the cabin air filter in my Volkswagen Passat. The answer? $350 ! I said no thank you and googled "change cabin air filter vw passat". A description on Wiki-How explained where to find it. I opened my hood and there it was, visible to the naked, non-mechanical eye and easily swapped for the new one. Took me five minutes from google to closing the hood and I bought the factory filter for $20.

Posted by: Paprika Clark | June 02, 2008 at 08:42 AM

This is a great tip for car and home. Just like the comment above I changed my cabin filter on my Saab and while it was a little harder to access (hidden under the dashboard) it made a world of difference in comfort level. I don't have A/C at home (I live in Chicago and the heat is not too bad here) but changing your filters in summer and winter helps a lot. Also not a bad idea for those homeowners is to have a pressure test of your A/C system, PEG studies have shown 60% are the wrong pressure leading to 20% higher bills. And if you replace your A/C remember SMALLER is better, smaller removes more humidity and cools better and more efficiently despite (and because of) running for longer periods.

Posted by: Kevin Wright | June 02, 2008 at 09:48 AM

I don't have A/C at home, I make do with window fans even though it can -- and does -- get pretty hot and sticky here in New England in the summer.(Nothing raises your electric bill like using A/C.) However, I do have A/C in my car. Here's a tip. When you're driving on the interstate at highway speeds, it is more fuel efficient to use your car's A/C. When you're driving around town on short hops, it is more fuel efficient to roll down your windows instead of using the A/C, although on really hot, humid days opening the windows is pretty pointless because on days like that, opening the windows just lets in the hot air.

Posted by: Linda | June 03, 2008 at 06:49 AM

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