We had the same situation in a former home only higher and twice. We just had a handyman take care of changing the filters.

Too bad. Sounds like a lazy, cost cutting design done without regard to the consequences. This would be a good thing to change and probably wouldn't be too expensive. Replace it with two or more smaller returns, one in a different location, with lower and more accessible wall placement.

Or, as suggested, relocate where the filtration happens to somewhere more easily accessed.

My vacation place has the HVAC equipment in the attic. The ceilings are 10 feet but the return grill has a 24 inch vertical length and is located on an upstairs wall. The two latches are at the bottom and are a bit less than 8 feet up. I can stand on a chair and get it easily, maybe something like that could be done for you.

Thank you. I spoke to an HVAC repair guy and he advised against relocating the return to a wall as it would not be as efficient (we live in the south so it gets pretty hot, so he said we should maximize the height to get rid of the rising warm air).

We can get to the air handler relatively easily in the attic so maybe we should try to get the filter replaced from above instead- I hadn't realized that would be an option. I'll look into it, Thanks again

If he's a repair guy, maybe he doesn't do custom duct work?

If your supply vents are in the floor pointed upwards, or in the ceiling pointed downward, you're going to get plenty of air mixing when the equipment is running. To my thinking, moving the return a few feet lower to ease access isn't going to disturb that.

But if you can get at the filter without too much strain if moved to the air handler area, then that solves the problem at much less cost and trouble. Good luck.

Thanks- I was hoping there was an easier fix, some kind of gadget for making this easier, but I guess not. I appreciate the suggestions

Check out www.filterlift.com They have a solution for you now. They have sevral size options including the 20X25. If you have this installed this it will help you.

Second suzyq53’s suggestion. We have 12’ & 10’ ceilings throughout our house with smoke detectors in every room + hallways. I have my handyman switch them out (batteries ), cheaper & much safer than a fall from that height. Also, my HVAC company offers me a bi- yearly service, change out filters, check or AC’s, reasonable, about $150 a year & they provide everything, filters & whatever needed for the AC units.