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 vital part in keeping its system working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A dirty furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and reduce its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is ideal for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about providing excellent indoor air quality for your residence.
Your health is important to the heating pros at Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating. We've long worked with an eye on improving indoor air quality in Kankakee. 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?
Experts stress it's critical 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 move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend checking your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if it is dirty because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. Those who have dogs and cats will likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality 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 usually 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 positioned on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, within the furnace. It's generally housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for details concerning filter location of your furnace.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are basically the same thing. While people may call them 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 particulates from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, ensuring the air distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Are MERV Ratings and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and determine when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to pick a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One method to do this is by choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with bigger numbers indicating a greater ability to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having good 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
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters are supposed to face 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 toward the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure about the airflow direction, remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make sure the arrow points at the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to face their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cellular phone after the filter has been correctly 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 do this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance appointment.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to retreive a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make sure to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned inside the furnace or in the air return vent. Take 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.
- Take out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Record the date: Write down the date you changed filters on the new filter's frame. This will help your family 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 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 lock it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is properly in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The short 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 best things you can do to keep your system working effectively.