Who is the house A/C expert here?

**jmw_man** · 07-08-09, 03:19 PM

So, I haven't lived in my place very long but I am familiar with changing out the filter in the wall next to the condenser. Well, there are two grates in the wall that suck in air. I removed them and found:

Number one: there is no filter.
Number two: it's just a hole in the wall that can't hold any particular sized filter.

My girl and I rent the place, is the landlord required to fix this problem?
Part of the lease agreement is to change the filter every so often, is there another filter somewhere I don't know about?
What do I do about the hole in the wall, try to fit in an air filter by cutting it up to fit?

Thanks

**CivilWars** · 07-08-09, 03:24 PM

Typically those feed to the other intake so that your one filter works for all 3, but not always.

**draco7891** · 07-08-09, 03:46 PM

Usually, systems like that have the filter at the end of the intakes, up just before the furnace/air exchanger (ie, up in the attic). If there's a cover that runs the whole length of the duct just before it runs into the big unit that doesn't look like it requires screws and duct tape to remove, that's probably your culprit.

Draco

**Jester(TA)** · 07-08-09, 04:07 PM

Check where the ductwork enters the furnace.Usually there is a slot that the filter will slid into.Can you take acouple pics?I worked in the hvac trade for 12 years and can help you but need some pics to see what ya have.Also if anyone else needs any help I usually can figure anything out in the furnace/ac unit.

**Consultant** · 07-08-09, 04:21 PM

Yeah, look in a closet or somewhere for the air-handler and that will have your filter in it.

Usually there is a thin cover that you unscrew to access it.

**Consultant** · 07-08-09, 04:23 PM

It will probably look like this or close to it. In this example, the black smudgy cut-away on the right panel shows that the filter is vertical in this unit.

**MotoZ** · 07-08-09, 04:26 PM

Based on the question, take a picture of the old filter, too.

It might be pretty gnarly.

**BruceBloodMaster** · 07-08-09, 05:45 PM

The grates in the wall are return air ducts they generally don't have a filter as that would constrict the airflow. A stated above the filter is usually located at the air handler.

**ninja|oaklandr** · 07-08-09, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Consultant

It will probably look like this or close to it. In this example, the black smudgy cut-away on the right panel shows that the filter is vertical in this unit.

That looks just like my unit. That's insulation on the right. The filter is on the bottom. You can see the tabs on the far left/right to remove the filter door.

Blue is air
Yellow is filter

**Jester(TA)** · 07-08-09, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by BruceBloodMaster

The grates in the wall are return air ducts they generally don't have a filter as that would constrict the airflow. A stated above the filter is usually located at the air handler.

Sorry bruce,but most furnaces that Ive installed always have the filters inline with the cold air return.The air is filtered before entering the furnace.Air filters should not restrict alot of flow in the first place.Sure they are designed to alittle but not enough tocause issues.