Choosing the right 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 role in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Ensuring 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 creating healthy indoor air quality for your residence.
The health of your family is important to the heating and cooling specialists at Tri City Fuel & Heating. We've long been dedicated to improving indoor air quality in West Columbia. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that particularly 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 vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Dirty filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra effort to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials suggest checking your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will coated with dirt or dust. People who have pets will very likely 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 located 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 goes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's generally housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information regarding 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 AC filter are effectively the same. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— warm or chilly months—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each eliminate dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, ensuring 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 find your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be replaced, it’s time to pick a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating indicates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater 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 healthy 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 Air Conditioner
Putting 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 designed to be installed in a certain direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing in the direction of 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 certain the arrow points at 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 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 great time to inquire about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance appointment.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown 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 a mental note or write down which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the new filter to point similarly.
- Remove the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or debris.
- Note the date: Write down the date you changed filters on the new filter's frame. This will make it easier to keep track of when it's time for you to change it again.
- 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 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 unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is safely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or reduce its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system operating correctly.
