Selecting the proper 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 vital part in keeping its system operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is ideal for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about creating healthy indoor air quality for your household.
Your health is important to the HVAC specialists at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.. We've long focused on enhancing indoor air quality in Hodgenville. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that especially 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's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Dirt-clogged 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 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. People 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 commonly installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This is so air being pulled into the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, the filter may be located 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 details about filter location of your furnace.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are effectively identical. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— warm or chilly months—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, ensuring the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you find 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 selecting 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 molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating enhanced capabilities 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 certain health conditions may need a a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Positioning 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 particular direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing toward the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful about the airflow direction, it may be helpful to remember that air always moves from the return duct and then to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make certain the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people struggle with which direction to install their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your cellular 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 scheduled furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or AC is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown 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 beginning the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found inside 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 clean filter to point the same way.
- Remove the old filter: Be careful not to knock out any dust or debris.
- Record the date: Write down the date of replacement 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.
- Insert new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing at 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 nicely and close any latches or clips that secure it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is safely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system operating efficiently.
