Change Your HVAC Filter

Cheapest, highest-impact home maintenance. A clogged filter strains your system, raises energy bills, and shortens equipment life.

Difficulty: Easy Time: 5 min Cost: $8–$25

🛠

Want help as you go? Open this guide in the interactive Fixly app — ask follow-up questions and get AI-powered tips for your specific situation.

Tools

+
Replacement air filter
Match the size printed on the side of the old filter (e.g. 16x25x1)

As an Amazon Associate, Fixly earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the guides free.

🔧

Prefer to leave it to a pro? We get it. Compare quotes from background-checked local pros in minutes.

Find a pro →

1

Locate the filter

Look in: the wall return-air grille (one or more big grilles near the ceiling), or the slot near the air handler / furnace. Some homes have both.
2

Note the airflow arrow

The new filter has arrows on the side. They point in the direction air flows — toward the furnace, not away.
3

Slide in the new one

Pull the old, slide the new in with the arrow pointing right. That's it. Set a phone reminder for 3 months.

Tip: MERV 8–13 is the typical range for residential systems. MERV 8 handles general dust; MERV 11–13 captures allergens, smoke, and fine particles. Higher MERV restricts airflow more — check your system's spec sheet before going above MERV 11.