Picking out the ideal 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 dirty furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to circulate through your home. It also slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about delivering good indoor air quality for your residence.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating pros at H & H Service Company. We've long worked with an eye on improving indoor air quality in Mechanicsburg. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that very 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's 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 30 days 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 dogs and cats will probably 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 commonly found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This ensures air entering the system is filtered before it moves through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace brand, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, within 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 facts regarding filter location of your particular brand and model of 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 AC filter are essentially the same. While people may call them different things based on the current season— hot or cold—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other airborne debris from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making sure the air distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you find your old furnace filter and decide when it should be replaced, 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 is an abbreviation 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 higher numbers indicating the power 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 needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions may need a a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is crucial for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters have a specific direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be placed in the unit with this arrow pointing at the furnace or AC, 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 towards the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points toward the furnace or AC.
Many people are confused by 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 point. A handy time to do this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to take out a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- 1. Turn off your furnace: Make sure to turn off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Find the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located 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 replacement filter to point in the same direction.
- Remove the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Record 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 the next change.
- 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 old filter you are replacing.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits correctly and close any latches or clips that hold it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is properly installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The short answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system running effectively.
