Picking out the proper 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 vital role in keeping its system working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling potentially harmful particles to move through your home. It also limits airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about delivering healthy indoor air quality for your residence.
Your health is important to the heating specialists at Mayeuxs AC & Heating. We've long focused on bettering indoor air quality in Norco and St. Charles Parish. 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?
When to Replace the Air Filter in Your Furnace
It is vital 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 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. Those who have pets will probably need to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a good 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 located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This makes sure air entering 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 typically housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for details about filter location of the furnace in your home.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioner filter are basically 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 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 distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and determine when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to select a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by selecting an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating indicates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating a greater ability to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having healthy indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is crucial for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters are supposed to face a specific direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing toward the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure about the airflow direction, it may be helpful to remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, be sure that the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people are confused by which direction to install an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your mobile 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 go. A great time to inquire about this is during a regular furnace maintenance call.
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 rundown of how to remove 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.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found within 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 replacement filter to point similarly.
- Remove the old filter: Be careful not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Record the date: Write down the date of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will make it easier to keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Insert new filter: Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the furnace, which is the direction of airflow and should be the same direction the arrow pointed on the dirty filter you just removed.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits nicely and close any latches or clips that lock it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is safely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system operating correctly.
