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 critical role in keeping its system working 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 reduce its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about providing healthy indoor air quality for your household.
The health of your family is important to the HVAC professionals at Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling. We've long been dedicated to enhancing indoor air quality in Athol. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that very 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 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 move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials suggest examining your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. People who have dogs and cats will likely want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective 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 normally found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This ensures air flowing into the system is filtered before it moves 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, within 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 important information regarding filter location of your particular brand and model of 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 air conditioning filter are essentially identical. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— warm or chilly months—they are all filters that clean the air in your home.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other particulates 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 Is a MERV Rating and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you track down your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be changed, it’s time to pick 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 short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating a greater ability to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having healthy indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions might need a a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is important for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters are supposed to face 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 at the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful about the airflow direction, remember that air always moves from the return duct and then to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make certain the arrow points toward the furnace or AC.
Many people struggle with which direction to point an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your cell 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 be installed. A perfect time to ask about this is during a routine furnace maintenance call.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to remove a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- 1. Turn off your furnace: Make a point to shut off your furnace before beginning the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned inside the furnace or in the air return vent. Make a mental note or write down which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the replacement 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 of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will help your family keep track of when it's time for the next change.
- Insert 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 correctly and close any latches or clips that secure it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is safely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The short answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to stop working or shorten its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system working correctly.
