How to Change Your LG Air Conditioner Filter: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Changing the air filter in your LG air conditioner is the single most important and simplest maintenance task you can perform. Doing it regularly, typically every month or two during peak cooling seasons, protects your health, saves you a significant amount of money on energy bills, prevents costly repairs, and ensures your LG unit cools your home efficiently and reliably for years to come. The process is straightforward and requires no special tools, but it must be done correctly for your specific LG model. This guide provides definitive, step-by-step instructions for every type of LG air conditioning filter.
Why Changing Your LG Air Filter is Non-Negotiable
The air filter in your air conditioner has one primary job: to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other airborne particles before they enter the cooling coil and blower fan. A clean filter protects the intricate internal components of your LG unit. When the filter becomes clogged with debris, it causes a chain reaction of negative effects. Airflow is severely restricted. The system’s fan must work much harder to pull air through the clogged filter, which wastes electricity. More critically, the evaporator coil, the part that gets cold to cool your home, can freeze due to insufficient warm air moving over it. A frozen coil can lead to water damage and compressor failure, which is the most expensive component to replace. Furthermore, a dirty filter can no longer capture contaminants, allowing them to circulate back into your home’s air, aggravating allergies and reducing indoor air quality. For the longevity, efficiency, and health performance of your system, regular filter changes are essential.
What You Need to Get Started
The process requires minimal preparation. You will need a replacement filter that is the exact correct size and type for your LG model. You will also need a stepladder if your indoor air handler is located in a ceiling or high on a wall. Have a vacuum cleaner with a hose and brush attachment handy to clean the area around the filter compartment. A flashlight is useful for illuminating the interior of the unit. Always have a cloth or rag available for wiping up any dust. Your most important tool is your owner’s manual, which contains the specific location and model number for your filter. If you have lost the manual, you can find it by searching online for your LG unit’s model number, which is always printed on a label on the unit itself.
Universal First Step: Safety First
Before touching your air conditioning system, you must turn it off completely. Do not simply change the thermostat setting to "off." You need to disconnect the power at the source. For central air conditioners, locate the electrical disconnect box mounted on the wall near the outdoor condenser unit. It is a small, grey, metal box. Open the box and pull out the removable plug or flip the switch inside to the "off" position. For window units, portable units, or mini-splits, turn the unit off at the thermostat and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. This step prevents the fan from accidentally turning on while you have the filter compartment open, which could cause injury or damage to the unit. Wait a few minutes for any components to power down before proceeding.
Locating the Filter on Your Specific LG System
LG manufactures several types of air conditioning systems, and the filter location varies. Identifying your system type is the first step.
- LG Portable Air Conditioners: The filter is always easily accessible. On most models, it is located behind the front grille or panel on the unit itself. Sometimes it is behind a small, dedicated filter door. You may need to gently press clips or remove a screw to open the cover.
- LG Window Air Conditioners: The filter is almost always located behind the front grille that faces into the room. This grille may slide up, swing open, or require you to remove a few screws. The owner’s manual is crucial here, as the release mechanism varies.
- LG Mini-Split/Ductless Systems (Wall-Mounted, Ceiling Cassette, etc.): The filter is behind the main front panel of the indoor unit. You must open this panel, which usually involves releasing plastic clips at the top and bottom or along the sides. The panel then swings down or detaches, revealing one or more long, rectangular filters mounted in a track above or below the coil.
- LG Central Air Systems: Here, the filter is located in the return air duct. The most common location is in a slot at the wall or ceiling where the large return air grille is mounted. You remove the grille to access the filter. Alternatively, the filter may be in a slot on the side of the indoor air handler/furnace unit itself, often where the large return duct connects. It will be in a removable filter rack.
Step-by-Step: Removing the Old Filter
Once you have located the filter compartment and ensured the power is off, you can remove the old filter. Open the designated door, grille, or panel as instructed in your manual. Carefully slide the filter out of its slot. Take note of two critical details: First, observe the direction of the airflow arrows printed on the plastic frame of the filter. These arrows must point in the correct direction when you install the new one. Second, examine how the filter is seated. Is it vertical or horizontal? Does it slide into a track? Wipe around the now-empty filter compartment with a cloth or use the vacuum’s brush attachment to remove any loose dust or debris that accumulated around the frame. This prevents that debris from being sucked into the unit when it restarts.
Identifying and Selecting the Correct Replacement Filter
Using the correct replacement is vital. The filter’s exact size (length, width, and thickness in inches) and type are printed on the old filter’s frame. Common sizes are 16x20x1, 20x25x1, or 16x25x1. If the old filter is not available, the size and part number are listed in your owner’s manual. You can also measure the filter slot. For LG portable or specific window models, LG often sells custom-sized filters designed for that unit. You can purchase these online or from an appliance parts dealer. For central air and many mini-splits, you can use standard, widely-available HVAC filters from any home improvement store, as long as the dimensions match. You must also choose a filter’s MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. A rating between MERV 8 and MERV 11 is ideal for most homes. It provides a good balance of particle filtration without being so dense that it excessively restricts airflow in a standard residential system. Avoid using a "heavier" MERV 13+ filter unless your system was specifically designed for it.
Step-by-Step: Installing the New Filter Correctly
This is the step where a simple mistake can cause problems. Take the new filter out of its packaging. Find the airflow arrows on its frame. These arrows must point toward the evaporator coil and blower fan, or in the direction of airflow. For a wall- or ceiling-return in a central system, the arrows point into the ductwork, toward the air handler. For a filter slot on the air handler itself, the arrows point into the unit. For portable, window, and mini-split units, the arrows almost always point into the unit, toward the back. If you install the filter backwards, the filter media is not structurally supported to work correctly, and it will clog much faster. Carefully slide the filter into the exact slot or track the old one came from, ensuring it is seated evenly and snugly. Do not force it. Close and secure the filter door, grille, or panel.
Restoring Power and Verifying Operation
With the new filter securely installed and the compartment closed, you can restore power. For central systems, re-insert the disconnect plug or flip the switch in the outdoor disconnect box back to the "on" position. For other units, plug the power cord back into the wall outlet. Go to your thermostat. For central air, set it to "cool" and a temperature below the current room temperature. For other units, turn the unit on via its remote or control panel. Listen as the unit starts. You should hear the fan turn on and feel cool air blowing from the vents within a minute or two. The airflow should feel strong and consistent. Let the unit run for at least 10-15 minutes to ensure it is operating normally and not short-cycling. Check that the air coming out is cool, not warm.
Developing a Maintenance Schedule and Routine
Changing the filter once is good; changing it on a schedule is what delivers the long-term benefits. Mark your calendar or set a digital reminder. The standard recommendation is every 90 days, or every month during heavy-use seasons (summer and winter, if you use the fan for heat). However, your home’s specific conditions demand adjustments. If you have multiple pets, severe allergies, live in a dusty area, or have a household with smokers, you should change the filter every 30-45 days. A simple visual check is the best guide. Remove the filter after one month. Hold it up to a light source. If you cannot see light easily through the filter media, it is time to change it. Do not wait for it to look completely clogged.
Troubleshooting Common Filter-Related Problems
Even with a new filter, you may encounter issues. Understanding them helps you diagnose problems.
- Weak Airflow After Change: First, double-check that the filter is installed in the correct direction. A backwards filter can restrict flow. Second, ensure the filter compartment door or grille is completely sealed. A gap can cause the system to pull in unfiltered air. Third, verify you did not accidentally buy a filter with a MERV rating that is too high for your system, like a MERV 13.
- Unit Not Cooling After Change: If the airflow is good but the air is not cold, you may have changed the filter after it was clogged for too long. A severely restricted filter can cause the evaporator coil to ice over. You must turn the unit off at the thermostat, but leave the fan set to "on." This will circulate room-temperature air over the frozen coil to thaw it. This can take several hours. Do not attempt to chip ice off. Once completely thawed and drained, you can try restarting in cooling mode. If the problem persists, a professional service call is needed.
- Cannot Find the Filter Slot: For central systems, if the filter is not at the return grille, look for a filter rack on the indoor air handler unit. It may have a hinged or sliding door. If you truly cannot locate it, consult a professional HVAC technician. Do not operate the system without a filter, as this will quickly ruin the coil.
- Unusual Nooms After Change: If you hear a whistling or rattling sound, the filter may not be seated properly in its track, or the compartment door may not be fully latched, creating a gap. Turn the unit off, reopen the compartment, reseat the filter, and close the door firmly.
Beyond the Filter: Complementary Maintenance Tasks
While changing the filter, it is a good time to perform a few other simple checks. For window and portable units, wipe down the front grille with a damp cloth. For central systems, ensure all your supply and return vents throughout the house are open and unblocked by furniture, curtains, or rugs. Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to gently clean the return air grille. For the outdoor condenser unit (central air), ensure it is clear of leaves, grass clippings, and debris for at least two feet in all directions. You can gently rinse the condenser fins with a garden hose from the inside out to wash away dirt. Always turn the outdoor unit’s power off at the disconnect before doing this.
Knowing When to Call an LG Professional
While filter changes are a DIY task, other maintenance requires a certified technician. You should schedule a professional tune-up for your LG system at least once a year, ideally in the spring before the cooling season. A technician will perform tasks you cannot, such as checking refrigerant levels, testing electrical components, cleaning the indoor evaporator and outdoor condenser coils, lubricating motors, and ensuring the system operates at its factory-specified efficiency. If you encounter persistent problems like constant freezing, inadequate cooling despite a clean filter, strange electrical smells, or leaking refrigerant, turn the system off and contact a qualified LG appliance repair service immediately.
Conclusion
Changing the air filter in your LG air conditioner is a fundamental act of home care. It requires less than five minutes of your time, a minimal financial investment for a new filter, and provides immense returns in system performance, energy savings, and air quality. By following the specific steps for your LG model—ensuring power is off, locating the filter, removing the old one, noting the airflow direction, installing the correct new filter in the proper orientation, and restoring power—you become the most important factor in your comfort system’s health. Establish a regular schedule based on your home’s needs, and combine this simple habit with annual professional service. This disciplined approach will ensure your LG air conditioner delivers cool, clean, and cost-effective comfort season after season.