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 crucial 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 limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and reduce its life span.
Making sure your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about providing healthy indoor air quality for your home.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the HVAC specialists at B & G HVAC. We've long focused on improving indoor air quality in Marshalltown. 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 Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
It is vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Soiled filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra work to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials suggest examining your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will filled with dirt or dust. Homeowners who have dogs and cats will very likely have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
How to Find the Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is usually installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This ensures air being pulled into the system is filtered before it goes 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, within the furnace. It's typically housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for 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 conditioner filter are effectively the same. While they might be called different things based on the current season— hot or cold—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making sure 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 track down your old furnace filter and determine when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to select a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by selecting 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 contaminants. 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 an appropriate balance between having adequate indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need a a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioning System
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is crucial for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling system. Air filters are designed to be installed in a specific direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in 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 towards the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make sure the arrow points at the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people struggle with which direction to install an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick 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 be installed. A perfect time to do this is during a routine furnace maintenance appointment.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to remove a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be 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. Make note of which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the new filter to point in the same direction.
- Slide out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or debris.
- Note 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 correctly and close any latches or clips that secure it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is completely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or shorten its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system operating correctly.
