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 crucial function in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling potentially harmful particles to circulate through your home. It also limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about creating good indoor air quality for your home.
Your health is important to the heating pros at Verona HVAC. We've long worked with an eye on bettering indoor air quality in Santa Clarita. 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?
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. 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 suggest inspecting your furnace filter every month 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. Homeowners who have pets that shed will probably want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective 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 normally found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This is so air being pulled into the system is filtered before it passes 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 generally housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for easy 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 simple answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or AC filter are essentially identical. While people may call them different things based on the current season— warm or chilly months—they are all filters that clean the air in your HVAC system.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other particulates from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making sure the air circulating throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you find your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be substituted for a clean one, 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 an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating measures the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating the power to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having adequate indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions might need a a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner properly is crucial for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling system. Air filters have a particular direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing toward 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, make certain the arrow points in the direction of the furnace or AC.
Many people struggle with which direction to install 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 handy time to do this is during a regular furnace maintenance appointment.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to retreive 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 up the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned 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 clean filter to point in the same direction.
- Remove the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Document the date: Write down the date you replaced the filter on the new filter's frame. This will help your family 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 secure it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is safely in place, 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 stop working or limit its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system working effectively.