Picking out the correct 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 running 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 limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Making sure your furnace uses a clean filter that is ideal for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about delivering healthy indoor air quality for your household.
Your health is important to the heating specialists at JTech Mechanical. We've long been dedicated to enhancing indoor air quality in Magnolia. 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?
When to Replace the Air Filter in Your Furnace
It's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner regularly. 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 monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will filled with 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.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is usually installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This is so air entering the system is filtered before it goes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the type of furnace, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, inside the furnace. It's usually housed in a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information about filter location of your furnace.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are essentially the same thing. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— hot or cold—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each eliminate 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 Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and determine when it should be replaced, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One method to do this is by selecting 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 molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating a greater ability to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having good indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions may need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is crucial for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling system. Air filters are designed to be installed in a particular direction, indicated by an arrow located on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be placed in the unit 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 sure the arrow points at the furnace or AC.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to install their system's air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your cell phone after the filter has been accurately 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.
Changing Your Furnace's 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 take out a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to switch off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located in 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 new filter to point in the same direction.
- Slide out the old filter: Be mindful 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 make it easier to 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 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 nicely and close any latches or clips that hold it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is completely installed, 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 stop working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running effectively.