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 running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling 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 ideal for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about creating excellent indoor air quality for your residence.
Your health is important to the HVAC pros at Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc.. We've long focused on enhancing indoor air quality in Muskogee. Here, we’ve answered common questions about HVAC filters, including that especially 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 important to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Soiled filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra work 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 be gray or black from dirt or dust. Homeowners 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.
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 is so air being pulled into the system is filtered before it goes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace model, 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 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 air conditioner filter are effectively the same thing. 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 residence.
They each eliminate dust, allergens, bacteria and other particulates from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making sure the air flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is the MERV Rating System 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 picking 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 indicates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne molecules. 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 a good balance between having adequate indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions might need to use a filter with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioning System
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner properly is crucial for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters have 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 air conditioning unit, 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, make sure the arrow points in the direction of the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people have difficulty remembering 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 go. A perfect time to ask about this is during a routine furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown 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.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found in 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 replacement filter to point similarly.
- Remove 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 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 at 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 hold it in the unit.
- 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 quit working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or AC filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system operating effectively.