Selecting 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 part in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling 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 operating efficiently. It’s also about providing healthy indoor air quality for your household.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating specialists at Lakeside Heating & Air. We've long been dedicated to enhancing indoor air quality in Chelan and Wenatchee. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that very 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 critical 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 recommend checking your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if it is dirty because it will coated with dirt or dust. Homeowners who have dogs and cats will very likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective 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 commonly located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into the furnace. This is so air flowing into the system is filtered before it goes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, the filter may be positioned on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, within the furnace. It's usually housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information concerning filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioner filter are essentially identical. While people may call them different things based on the current season— summer or winter—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 distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to select a replacement. That means determining the level of filtration that you need. One way to do that 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 molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with bigger numbers indicating a greater ability to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having adequate indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions might 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 the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters have a particular direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing toward the furnace or air conditioning unit, 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, make sure the arrow points at the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people struggle with which direction to face their system's air filter. To help remember, consider snapping a quick photo 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 handy time to inquire about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance call.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or AC is an easy 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: Make sure to switch off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned inside 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 clean filter to point similarly.
- Take out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Note 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 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 your last filter.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits nicely and close any latches or clips that hold it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is safely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system working efficiently.
