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 crucial role in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A dirty furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling potentially harmful particles to circulate through your home. It also restricts airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about delivering excellent indoor air quality for your household.
The health of your family is important to the HVAC specialists at Paniccia Heating & Cooling. We've long worked with an eye on enhancing indoor air quality in Michigan City. 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?
How Often to Replace the Air Filter in a Furnace
Experts stress it's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Soiled filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra effort to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials advise examining your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. People who have pets will likely need 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 installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This is so air entering the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the type of furnace, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, within 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 details regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or AC filter are essentially identical. 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 sure the air circulating throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and decide when it should be replaced, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by selecting an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating measures the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating a greater ability to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having healthy indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions could need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Putting 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 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 air conditioning unit, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure 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, make certain the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people struggle with which direction to install an 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 be installed. A great time to inquire about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance call.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing 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: Be sure to switch off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located in 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 similarly.
- Remove the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or debris.
- 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 you to change it again.
- Insert 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 dirty filter you just removed.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits securely and close any latches or clips that hold it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is completely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system working efficiently.