Picking out the proper 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 working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also limits 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 merely about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about creating good indoor air quality for your residence.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the HVAC pros at Point Heating & Cooling. We've long worked with an eye on enhancing indoor air quality in Plover. 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?
When Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
It's important to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Soiled filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra effort to pull 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 the filter needs to be changed because it will filled with dirt or dust. Those who have dogs and cats will probably need to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a good air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is usually installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into the furnace. This ensures air being pulled 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, inside the furnace. It's usually housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information regarding filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are basically 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 eliminate 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 find your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be changed, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One way to do that 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 contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating a greater ability to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having adequate indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions may need a a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is crucial for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters have a specific 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 toward the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure about the airflow direction, try to remember that air always moves from the return duct and then to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points in the direction of the furnace or AC.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to install an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cellular 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 regular furnace maintenance call.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to take out a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to shut off your furnace before starting the process.
- Locate 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 clean filter to point similarly.
- Take out the old filter: Be careful not to knock out any dust or debris.
- 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 another replacement.
- Slide in 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 dirty filter you just removed.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits correctly and close any latches or clips that lock it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is properly installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system working efficiently.