Choosing the proper furnace filter and changing it when it becomes 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 working 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 slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Making sure your furnace uses a clean filter that is ideal for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about delivering good indoor air quality for your residence.
The health of your family is important to the heating and cooling professionals at A2Z Air Inc. We've long focused on bettering indoor air quality in Boynton Beach. Here, we’ve answered common 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
It is important to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Dirt-clogged filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to move 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 it is dirty because it will filled with dirt or dust. Those who have dogs and cats will very likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
How to Find the 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 gets to the furnace. This makes sure air flowing into the system is filtered before it goes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace brand, the filter may be positioned on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's typically housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information about filter location of your furnace.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are basically the same. 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 home.
They each eliminate dust, allergens, bacteria and other airborne debris from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, ensuring the air circulating throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and decide 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 approach to this is by selecting 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 contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating enhanced capabilities to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having good indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters have a certain direction, indicated by an arrow printed 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, it may be helpful to remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points toward the furnace or AC.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to install an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cell phone after the filter has been correctly 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 routine furnace maintenance appointment.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Replacing 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 retreive a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to switch off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Find the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found within the furnace or in the air return vent. Make note of which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the replacement filter to point similarly.
- Take out the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Note the date: Write down the date you replaced the filter on the new filter's frame. This will help you keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Insert 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 dirty filter you just removed.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits nicely and close any latches or clips that hold it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is completely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system working effectively.
