Choosing the right furnace filter and changing it when it is dirty is as important to your HVAC system as changing the oil is to your car. Each plays a crucial part in keeping its system operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also slows 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 merely about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about providing good indoor air quality for your home.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating and cooling pros at Haselhoff Air Solutions. We've long been dedicated to improving indoor air quality in Ames. 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?
When Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
Experts stress it's important to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Dirty filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to pull air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials suggest checking your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will coated with dirt or dust. Those who have pets that shed will likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality 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 makes sure air entering the system is filtered before it moves through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, the filter may be located on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, on the inside of the furnace. It's typically housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for facts regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
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 basically 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 HVAC system.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants 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 Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and determine when it should be changed, it’s time to pick a replacement. That means determining the level of filtration that you need. One way to do that is by choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is an abbreviation 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 enhanced capabilities 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 specific health conditions might need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is important 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 written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be placed in the unit with this arrow pointing toward the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure 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 toward the furnace or AC.
Many people are confused by which direction to face their system's air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture 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 ask about this is during a routine furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or AC is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to switch off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found 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 the same way.
- Slide out the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Document the date: Write down the date of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will help you keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Slide in new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing at 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 securely and close any latches or clips that secure it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is safely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or shorten its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your system working correctly.