Picking out the right 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 crucial role in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to move 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 working efficiently. It’s also about providing excellent indoor air quality for your residence.
The health of your family is important to the heating pros at JW Brager Heating and Cooling. We've long been dedicated to enhancing indoor air quality in Mount Horeb. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that especially 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 is 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 pull air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials suggest inspecting your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. Those who have pets will probably need to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is normally located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This ensures 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 located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's usually housed in a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information regarding filter location of your furnace.
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 conditioner filter are essentially identical. While they might be called different things based on the current season— warm or chilly months—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 track down your old furnace filter and decide when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to choose 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 stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating the power to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having adequate indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Positioning 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 particular direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be placed in the unit with this arrow pointing at the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful about the airflow direction, it may be helpful to remember that air always moves from the return duct towards the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points at the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to point their system's air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture 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 be installed. A perfect time to ask about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance visit.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to remove a dirty air filter and replace it with 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 in 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 clean filter to point in the same direction.
- Slide out the old filter: Be mindful 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 help you keep track of when it's time for the next change.
- Insert 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 nicely and close any latches or clips that secure it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is completely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to stop 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 efficiently.