Selecting the correct 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 vital part in keeping its system working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to circulate through your home. It also restricts airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about providing healthy indoor air quality for your home.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating pros at Booneville Heating & Cooling. We've long focused on enhancing indoor air quality in Booneville. 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 to Replace the Air Filter in Your 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 examining your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will coated with dirt or dust. Homeowners who have pets that shed will probably want 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 normally 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 moves through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's generally housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for facts regarding filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The simple answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioner filter are essentially the same thing. 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 residence.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other airborne debris from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making certain the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you find 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 method to do this is by selecting an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short 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 greater numbers indicating enhanced capabilities to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having good indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions could need to use a filter with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters are designed to be installed in a certain direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing in the direction of the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure about the airflow direction, remember that air always moves from the return duct towards the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make certain the arrow points in the direction of the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people struggle with which direction to face their 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 go. A handy time to ask about this is during a routine furnace maintenance appointment.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown 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 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 diligent not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Document the date: Write down the date of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will make it easier to 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 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 safely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or shorten its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system working correctly.
