Selecting the ideal 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 operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing 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 suitable for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about providing excellent indoor air quality for your home.
Your health is important to the HVAC specialists at Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.. We've long worked with an eye on enhancing indoor air quality in Hodgenville. 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
Experts stress it's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Dirty 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 checking your furnace filter every 30 days 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. People who have dogs and cats will likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Where Is the Air Filter in My Furnace?
In general, a furnace air filter is usually located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This makes sure air flowing into the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace brand, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's usually housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information about filter location of the furnace in your home.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The simple answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are essentially 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 home.
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 a MERV Rating and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you find your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be replaced, it’s time to select a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One method to do this is by choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating measures the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating a greater ability to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having healthy indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions might need to use a filter with a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Installing 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 have 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 AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure about the airflow direction, remember that air always moves from the return duct and then to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points at the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people are confused by which direction to install their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your mobile 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 go. A perfect time to ask about this is during a regular furnace maintenance call.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or AC is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to remove a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- 1. Turn off your furnace: Be sure to shut off your furnace before starting the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located in 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 new filter to point similarly.
- Take out the old filter: Be careful not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Note the date: Write down the date you changed filters on the new filter's frame. This will make it easier to keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Put in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing in the direction of 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 securely and close any latches or clips that hold it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is completely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The short 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 running correctly.
