Choosing the proper 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 critical part in keeping its system operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, allowing potentially harmful particles to circulate through your home. It also limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and reduce its life span.
Making sure your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about delivering good indoor air quality for your home.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the HVAC specialists at Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling. We've long been dedicated to improving indoor air quality in Athol & Sandpoint. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that especially tricky question of what direction do you point a filter in your furnace or air conditioner?
When Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
It's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Dirt-clogged 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 examining your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will filled with dirt or dust. People who have pets will probably want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality 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 goes back into the furnace. This ensures air entering the system is filtered before it passes 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, on the inside of the furnace. It's typically housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for details concerning filter location of the furnace in your home.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or AC filter are essentially the same. While they might be called different things based on the current season— summer or winter—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other particulates from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, ensuring the air circulating throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you find your old furnace filter and decide when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means determining 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 calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating the power to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having good indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions might 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 the proper way is important for the efficient operation of the unit. 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 installed with this arrow pointing in the direction of the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure about the airflow direction, remember that air always moves from the return duct towards the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make certain the arrow points at the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people are confused by which direction to install an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cellular 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 point. A handy time to inquire about this is during a regular furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to take out a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found inside 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.
- Slide out the old filter: Be careful 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 you to change it again.
- Slide 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 the old filter you are replacing.
- 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 clean filter is properly secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause Problems for a Furnace?
The simple answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to stop working or shorten its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running efficiently.
