Selecting the proper furnace filter and changing it when it is dirty is as important to your HVAC system as changing the oil is to your car. Each plays a vital role in keeping its system operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about creating good indoor air quality for your residence.
Your health is important to the heating and cooling specialists at Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning. We've long worked with an eye on enhancing indoor air quality in Thedford. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that particularly tricky question of what direction do you point a filter in your furnace or air conditioner?
When to Replace the Air Filter in Your Furnace
Experts stress it's important to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Dirty filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials advise checking your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. Those who have dogs and cats will likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Where Is the Air Filter in My Furnace?
In general, a furnace air filter is normally installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This ensures air flowing into the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace brand, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's usually housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are basically the same. While people may call them different things based on the current season— hot or cold—they are all filters that clean the air in your home.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other airborne debris from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, ensuring the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be changed, it’s time to select a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One way to do that is by selecting an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating measures the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating a greater ability to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having adequate indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions may need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters are supposed to face a specific direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing at the furnace or air conditioning unit, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure about the airflow direction, try to remember that air always moves from the return duct and then to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make sure the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people struggle with which direction to point their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your cell phone after the filter has been properly installed by a professional. Or, you also could ask a technician to use a marker to write on the outside of your furnace which direction the filter should point. A handy time to inquire about this is during a routine furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make sure to switch off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Find the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found inside the furnace or in the air return vent. Make a mental note or write down which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the replacement filter to point the same way.
- Slide out the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Document the date: Write down the date you replaced the filter on the new filter's frame. This will help you keep track of when it's time for you to change it again.
- Put in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing in the direction of the furnace, which is the direction of airflow and should be the same direction the arrow pointed on the old filter you are replacing.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits securely and close any latches or clips that secure it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is safely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or shorten its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system working efficiently.