Choosing the ideal 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 operating 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 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 delivering excellent indoor air quality for your household.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating and cooling specialists at Solar Air Inc.. We've long worked with an eye on bettering indoor air quality in Fort Lauderdale. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that particularly 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 is critical to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Dirt-clogged filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra effort to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend inspecting your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if it is dirty because it will coated with dirt or dust. Those who have pets that shed will 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 commonly installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This makes sure air being pulled into the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the type of furnace, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's generally housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information concerning filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
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 AC filter are effectively the same. While they might be called different things 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 particulates from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making certain the air distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you track down your old furnace filter and figure out 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 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 greater numbers indicating enhanced capabilities to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having healthy indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions could 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 important for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling system. Air filters are supposed to face a specific direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed 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 towards 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 face an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your mobile 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 regular furnace maintenance call.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or AC is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown 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 beginning the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned within 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 replacement filter to point in the same direction.
- Slide out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- 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 another replacement.
- Slide in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing toward 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 secure it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is properly in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or limit its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system working correctly.
