Selecting the ideal 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 function 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 slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about delivering good indoor air quality for your residence.
Your health is important to the HVAC specialists at Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC. We've long been dedicated to improving indoor air quality in Croydon. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that very 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 routinely. Dirty filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra work to move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend checking your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will filled with dirt or dust. Those who have pets that shed will likely 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 located 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 furnace model, the filter may be positioned on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, within the furnace. It's typically 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 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 basically the same. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— hot or cold—they are all filters that clean the air in your HVAC system.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other particulates 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 Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you find your old furnace filter and decide when it should be changed, it’s time to select a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by picking an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating the power to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having healthy indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need to use a filter with 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 important for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters have a certain direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be placed in the unit 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, remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make sure the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people struggle with which direction to install their air filter. To help remember, consider snapping a quick photo with your cell 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 handy time to ask about this is during a routine furnace maintenance call.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or AC is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to take out a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located 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 clean filter to point in the same direction.
- Remove the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Document the date: Write down the date of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will help your family keep track of when it's time for you to change it again.
- Put in 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 securely and close any latches or clips that secure it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is completely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to stop working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system operating efficiently.