Choosing the proper furnace filter and changing it when it gets dirty is as important to your HVAC system as changing the oil is to your car. Each plays a vital role in keeping its system working 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 reduce its life span.
Making certain 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 good indoor air quality for your residence.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the HVAC pros at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We've long worked with an eye on bettering indoor air quality in Oxford. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that very 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 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 work to pull air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend examining your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. Those who have pets will probably have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a good air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
How to Find the Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is commonly located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into the furnace. This ensures air flowing into the system is filtered before it goes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace brand, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's usually housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for details regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
Is My Furnace Filter Just a Type of Air Filter?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are basically 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 HVAC system.
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 flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you track down 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 approach to this 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 particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating enhanced capabilities to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having healthy indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions might need to purchase a filters with 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 important for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling system. Air filters are designed to be installed in a specific direction, indicated by an arrow located 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 not sure about the airflow direction, try 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 AC.
Many people are confused by 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 be installed. A great time to inquire about this is during a regular furnace maintenance call.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or AC is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to take out a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to shut off your furnace before starting the process.
- Find the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned within 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.
- Take out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Note 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 the next change.
- 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 your last filter.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits nicely and close any latches or clips that hold it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is safely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system operating efficiently.