Picking out the right 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 operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about delivering good indoor air quality for your residence.
The health of your family is important to the heating specialists 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 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 is important 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 extra effort 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. Those who have pets that shed will probably want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a good air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Where Is the Air Filter in My Furnace?
In general, a furnace air filter is usually installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into the furnace. This ensures air entering the system is filtered before it moves 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 typically housed in a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for details concerning filter location of your 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 essentially identical. 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 HVAC system.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, ensuring the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you find your old furnace filter and determine 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 an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher 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 overly restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need a a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is important for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters have a specific direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in 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, remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points in the direction of the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people are confused by which direction to point their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cellular 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 point. A handy time to ask about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance call.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to retreive a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to shut off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located in 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 new filter to point similarly.
- Slide out the old filter: Be careful not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Note the date: Write down the date you replaced the filter on the new filter's frame. This will help you keep track of when it's time for the next change.
- Insert 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 correctly and close any latches or clips that hold it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is completely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Damage My 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 AC filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system working effectively.