I had to change the air filters in the ceiling in our home today and thought I would share just how easy it is!
I am always sharing things that you may not know how to do within your home and show you that YOU can do them, too! Today I am sharing how to change an air filter in the ceiling. It takes just a few minutes and is not expensive to do. It is really easy. Let’s go!
Do ceiling air vents have filters in them?
Yes! In my last house, the filter was attached to the HVAC system in the basement and didn’t require changing that often. In our new home, they are in the ceiling and we have to change them every 90 days. You are supposed to change them every 60 days if you have pets. Filters trap dust, dirt, and allergens in the air. If they get really dirty your filter becomes inefficient and the motor in your HVAC system will start to break down as it has to work harder when the filter is clogged. It’s just good practice to change them often. They aren’t that expensive and you can pick them up at Home Depot or Lowes, just pay attention to the size you need as they come in a variety of sizes. You can even order them on Amazon and have them delivered!
**You can tell if you have filters in your vent if there are latches that you can open the vent with. If your air vent is screwed on and it does not have a way for you to easily access what is behind it, that is a return air vent and there is no filter in it.
You can watch the video here.
Steps to change an air filter in your ceiling:
- Grab a ladder and open the vent where the filter sits above it. You will see two tabs to push to the side. Be careful to not let it swing down and either hit you in the head or let the filthy, old filter fall out. There is nothing holding the door or the filter.
2. Once that is open, remove the old filter. Take note of the size of the filters as you remove them. We have 4 in our home and they are all different sizes. On the old ones I wrote what room they came out of and then took a photo of them so I would know what size to buy at the store and where each filter went once I got them home. I didn’t want to hang on to the old ones for too long because they were filthy and full of dust, allergens, and dirt!
3. Write the date on the new filter, add it back into the ceiling, and then close the grate.
Which way does your air filter go in your ceiling?
You want the arrows on the side of the filter to point towards the attic. Once the new one is in I like to vacuum my grate and wipe it down with a damp rag.
And that’s it! Easy peasy! Home maintenance is pretty simple and it feels so good to freshen up your home. Especially during the cold seasons. It makes your home a little healthier, too. And who doesn’t want that?
Have a great week, friends!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a (very) small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. As a Lowe’s Partner I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Great walk-through! Ceiling filters can definitely seem intimidating at first, but once you’ve done it a couple of times, it’s a breeze. One quick tip: always double-check airflow direction before installing the new filter—getting that wrong can reduce efficiency. I also recommend keeping a sticky note or using a reminder app to track the last change date. Trust me, your HVAC system (and your lungs) will thank you!