Choosing the correct furnace filter and changing it when it gets 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 working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A dirty 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.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about providing healthy indoor air quality for your residence.
The health of your family is important to the heating professionals at Pratt Brothers. We've long been dedicated to bettering indoor air quality in Jefferson. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that especially 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
It's critical to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner regularly. Dirt-clogged filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to pull 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 be gray or black from dirt or dust. Those who have pets will probably need 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 usually installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This makes sure air entering the system is filtered before it moves through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the type of furnace, the filter may be positioned on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's generally housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
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 AC filter are basically the same. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— summer or winter—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each eliminate dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making certain the air circulating throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you track down your old furnace filter and decide when it should be replaced, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short 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 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 healthy indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions could need to purchase a filters 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 the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling 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 placed in the unit with this arrow pointing toward 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, make certain the arrow points toward the furnace or AC.
Many people are confused by which direction to face their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your cellular 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 point. A great time to inquire about 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 quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to remove a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to shut off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found within 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 in the same direction.
- Take out the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or debris.
- Record 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 the next change.
- Insert 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 hold it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is properly in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The short 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 simplest things you can do to keep your system operating efficiently.