Picking out the correct 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 part in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to move 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 suitable for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about delivering healthy indoor air quality for your home.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating specialists at James Heating & A/C, Inc. We've long focused on improving indoor air quality in Lexington. 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?
When to Replace the Air Filter in Your Furnace
It is vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner regularly. Soiled 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 inspecting your furnace filter every month and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will filled with dirt or dust. Homeowners who have pets that shed 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 normally found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into 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 model, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's typically housed in a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information concerning filter location of the furnace in your home.
Is My Furnace Filter Just a Type of Air Filter?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are effectively the same thing. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— summer or winter—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, making sure the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be replaced, it’s time to pick a replacement. That means determining the level of filtration that you need. One method to do this is by selecting 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 contaminants. 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 an ideal balance between having healthy 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 Air Conditioner
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters are designed to be installed in a specific direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing in the direction of the furnace or air conditioner, 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 at the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people struggle with which direction to point their air filter. To help remember, consider snapping a quick photo with your mobile 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 go. A great time to ask about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance visit.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to take out a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located 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 new filter to point in the same direction.
- Remove the old filter: Be careful 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 your family keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Slide in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing toward 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 lock it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is safely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to stop working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running efficiently.
