Choosing the ideal 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 critical function in keeping its system running 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 slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and reduce its life span.
Making certain your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not only about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about providing excellent indoor air quality for your household.
The health of your family is important to the heating and cooling professionals at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning. We've long been dedicated to bettering indoor air quality in Pflugerville. 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 Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
Experts stress it's critical 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 more energy to move 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 have 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 commonly found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This is so air being pulled 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 generally housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information about filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
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 effectively identical. 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 airborne debris 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 Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and decide 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 choosing 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 bigger numbers indicating a greater ability to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having adequate indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with certain 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 properly is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters have a particular direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing at the furnace or air conditioning unit, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful 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 at the furnace or air conditioning unit.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to face an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your cell 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 go. A handy time to do this is during a routine furnace maintenance call.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or AC is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Find 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 the same way.
- Remove the old filter: Be diligent 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 help your family keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Put 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 your last filter.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits correctly and close any latches or clips that secure it in place.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is properly installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can 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 limit its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running efficiently.
