Air Conditioning - Filter change - Ducane

I have a Ducane heating/ac unit. It's (past) time for a filter change... can someone explain how to get this done? Thanks :)

How is your system set up?

In the basement? Attic?

Single central return in hall way, or multi returns?

How "Past" due is the filter is?

Thank you very much for responding :)

I'll do my best to explain...

The Ducane unit is in a small room in my garage. That controls both heat and a/c. A few weeks ago, I had a new compressor installed (outside) for the a/c. I wasn't home when the job was completed. The serviceman called later, and told me that some of the readings for the a/c indicate that a filter change was probably in order. It sounded easy enough so I thought to give it a try.

I seem to remember a previous service man removing the front of the heating/ac unit, and putting a rectangular filter somewhere underneath (of course the owner's manual is MIA) but I can't find how he did it.

Now I have noticed another issue. When the a/c is running, it cools upstairs, and some of the downstairs, but the air does not come from all vents downstairs. (When the heat is running, the air comes from all vents) How can it be that the a/c does not do the same?

Multiple returns both upstairs and downstairs. I can't say for sure, but I think the last filter change was at summer's end.

Are you new to the home?

do you know what the model # is on the furnace, you may have to take the blower door off, and it may be behind that on the side or bottom (depends on where the return goes into the furnace)

As for air flow... do you have more than one t-stat in the house?

The model number (found inside) is MPGA07583A. I have one thermostat.

I'm not new to the home, just new to this kind of work. :)

Found the owner's Manual (http://www.ducanehvac.com/pdfs/20571201.pdf) on this, and not much is shown, other than saying filter can be anywhere.

Page 12 is where they are talking about it.

Have you taken the covers off and look for it in the blower area?

Can you take a photo of your set up?

There are 3 compartments/covers on the front of the unit. I
removed the top (vented) cover, which is the largest of the three. There are wires, etc. but there's no place for a filter. There's a little bit of dust in there, is a vacuum and small brush ok for cleaning that out?

The other 2 covers require a tool for removal. I'll have to get one today.

From recalling past service experiences, I think the filter is under the floor.

Your furnace should only have two doors to take off..

Big main door, your burner area. then other door is your blower and control.

I can't see the filter being under the floor! :eek:

Can you take a photo of your furnace for us to see how your is set up?

There were 3 compartments. The top has the burner and wires, and a green (power?) light. The middle has only wires, and the bottom has the filter, a metal duct and an open space at the bottom... I don't know the purpose of the open space.

I changed the filter :) but I have a question. There is an arrow on the filter rim for air flow... how do I know which way is correct?

There were 3 downstairs vents that were not blowing cool air. One is now blowing air, but it is weaker than the other vents that were working. The other two vents are in the same room, on the same wall, still not blowing air at all. Any ideas before I call the a/c guy? Will running the a/c damage the unit?

My camera is on loan for graduations, confirmations, etc.

you want the arrow pointing towards the blower/furnace.

As for the lack of air in the vent, you may have too much air and it going right past the duct that feeds these vent, and when you said you had heat on, it blows out fine.

Thank you for your help! I'll have someone check the air flow and duct work.