Tips for Disposing an Old Air Filter
Your home air filter is perhaps one of the most important parts of your HVAC system. Many of the problems that can cause your system to slow down or shut down completely can be traced, at least in part, to an old or clogged air filter. Regular replacement of your filter is therefore an important part of home care. However, once you change your air filter, your old furnace air filter can emit dirt and debris into the air around your home, which could affect indoor air quality.
This raises a question that many people want to know the answer to: what is the proper way to dispose of an old air filter? Air filters have the benefit of being thrown away in your regular trash can, but what can you do to prevent any particulate matter trapped in the filter from escaping once you move it? Here are some elimination tips you can follow.
Put Your Old Filter Into a Plastic Bag
The first and most important thing to do with your old HVAC air filter is to contain it to capture dust and dirt. A plastic trash bag is a good way to do this. Have a plastic bag handy when you change your air filter, and place your old filter in this bag immediately when removing it from your furnace or intake duct. Once the filter is inside, tie the bag to trap as much dust and dirt inside as possible. Do your best not to shake or bang the filter too much in the bag.
Don’t Shake or Blow a Dirty Air Filter
Air filters may look dirty, but what you see can only be a portion of the dirt and debris that any of these filters can hold. Most of this dirt and debris is easy to remove, especially if you shake or bump the air filter. Do your best to avoid this. In addition to visible dirt and debris, you can also release a range of microscopic particles into the air, including mold spores, bacteria, viruses and other things that may have been trapped in the filter by then. Do yourself a favour: quickly place your old filter in a plastic bag and avoid jerking the old filter until the bag is properly and completely closed. Check out our next point on how to do it right.
Never Leave Your HVAC Unit Without a Filter
Tying the drawstrings of a closed garbage bag is one way to close most of the opening of your bag, but it still doesn’t completely seal the bag and traps all the debris inside. Go the extra mile and use duct tape to seal your old air filter in the plastic bag. Not only does the tape stick to the plastic your bag is made of, it also catches any dust or dirt that might try to escape and keeps it in place. Use extra sticky, strong tape, such as B. Tape to ensure a quality seal that will not easily reopen. Don’t be afraid to use a few extra strips of tape to seal the bag tightly. The better the seal, the cleaner the indoor air quality.
Properly Tape the Plastic Bag Shut
The first and most important thing to do with your old HVAC air filter is to contain it to capture dust and dirt. A plastic trash bag is a good way to do this. Have a plastic bag handy when you change your air filter, and place your old filter in this bag immediately when removing it from your furnace or intake duct. Once the filter is inside, tie the bag to trap as much dust and dirt inside as possible. Do your best not to shake or bang the filter too much in the bag.
Dispose of Old Air Filters in an Outside Trash Can
Don’t dispose of your old household air filter indoors – take it to your outdoor trash can and dispose of it there. Although you can use the plastic bag to seal dust and dirt from your filter inside, bags can be accidentally punctured or punctured. Even a small hole can result in some of that dust and dirt getting back into your air. Once you have installed the new air filter, immediately take the old filter to your trash can and dispose of it there.
Never Leave Your HVAC Unit Without a Filter
We think it should go without saying, but always turn your air conditioning or heating off completely when replacing your air filter to ensure unfiltered air isn’t being pushed through the system. Dust and dirt getting into your HVAC system while your air filter is being removed can cause all sorts of damage to your most important and vital equipment. A dusty cooling coil prevents much-needed heat transfer and results in an HVAC system that experiences a lot of extra wear and tear during normal operation. Rather than leaving your system unprotected, replace your filter with a new one immediately to ensure your air intake remains fully protected at all times.
Do you need professional help with an indoor air quality issue or with your air conditioning and heating maintenance? Call the experts at Carrano Air & HVAC Contractors Inc. today at (732) 329-3784!