Picking out the right 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.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to flow 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 appropriate for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace running 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 heating pros at B & G HVAC. We've long been dedicated to improving indoor air quality in Marshalltown. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that especially 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. Dirt-clogged filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to pull air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials advise checking your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if it is dirty because it will filled with dirt or dust. Homeowners who have dogs and cats will likely have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is commonly found 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 moves 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, on the inside of the furnace. It's typically housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information about 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 the same thing. While they might be called 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 certain the air circulating throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and decide when it should be replaced, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One way to do that is by choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV stands 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 the power to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having good indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions could need a a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is crucial for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling system. Air filters are supposed to face 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 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 are confused by which direction to face their system's air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your mobile 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 point. A perfect time to do this is during a regular furnace maintenance visit.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or AC is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned inside 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 of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will make it easier to keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Put in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing in the direction of 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 completely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The short answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or limit its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system running correctly.
