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, permitting potentially harmful particles to circulate through your home. It also slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Making sure your furnace uses a clean filter that is ideal for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about creating excellent indoor air quality for your household.
The health of your family is important to the heating professionals at Central Air LLC. We've long worked with an eye on improving indoor air quality in Brookfield. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that particularly tricky question of what direction do you point a filter in your furnace or air conditioner?
When Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
Experts stress it's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Soiled filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials suggest inspecting your furnace filter every month and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will coated with dirt or dust. Those who have dogs and cats will likely have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is normally found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into the furnace. This makes sure air being pulled into the system is filtered before it moves through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's generally housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information about filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
Is My Furnace Filter Just a Type of Air Filter?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioner filter are essentially 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 HVAC system.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making certain the air distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and determine 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 choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with bigger numbers indicating the power to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having good indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions might need a a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is necessary for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters are designed to be installed in a certain direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing in the direction of the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful about the airflow direction, try to remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people are confused by which direction to install their air filter. To help remember, consider snapping a quick photo with your cell phone after the filter has been accurately 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 be installed. A perfect time to do this is during a routine furnace maintenance call.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to remove a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make sure to switch off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located within the furnace or in the air return vent. Take note of which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the replacement filter to point in the same direction.
- Remove the old filter: Be careful not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Note the date: Write down the date you replaced the filter on the new filter's frame. This will make it easier to keep track of when it's time for you to change it again.
- Slide in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the furnace, which is the direction of airflow and should be the same direction the arrow pointed on the dirty filter you just removed.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits correctly and close any latches or clips that lock it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is completely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system working correctly.