Choosing the correct 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 critical function in keeping its system working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A dirty furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to move through your home. It also restricts airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about creating healthy indoor air quality for your home.
Your health is important to the heating and cooling specialists at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. We've long focused on bettering indoor air quality in Heflin. 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?
How Often to Replace the Air Filter in a Furnace
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 extra effort to move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend checking 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. Homeowners who have pets that shed will probably need to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a good 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 gets to the furnace. This is so air entering the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the type of furnace, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's usually housed in a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information about filter location of your furnace.
Is My Furnace Filter Just a Type of Air Filter?
The simple answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are essentially identical. 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 eliminate dust, allergens, bacteria and other airborne debris from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making certain the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be replaced, it’s time to select a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One method to do this is by picking an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating indicates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating enhanced capabilities to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having healthy indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions may need to use a filter with a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner properly is important for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters are supposed to face a certain direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing at the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful about the airflow direction, 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 point an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cell phone after the filter has been correctly 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 go. A perfect time to do this is during a routine furnace maintenance call.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned in 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 new filter to point the same way.
- Remove the old filter: Be diligent 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 the next change.
- 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 your last filter.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits securely and close any latches or clips that secure it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is properly secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to stop working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running effectively.
