Picking out the ideal 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 crucial role in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling potentially harmful particles to circulate 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 just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about delivering healthy indoor air quality for your residence.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating and cooling professionals at West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services. We've long been dedicated to enhancing indoor air quality in Hudsonville. 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?
How Often to Replace the Air Filter in a Furnace
It is vital 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 more energy to move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend inspecting your furnace filter every month and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if it is dirty because it will coated with dirt or dust. People who have pets will very likely 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 commonly found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into the furnace. This is so air entering 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, on the inside of the furnace. It's generally housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for important information about filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The straightforward answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are essentially the same. While people may call them different things based on the current season— warm or chilly months—they are all filters that clean the air in your HVAC system.
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 Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you find your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be replaced, it’s time to pick a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One way to do that is by picking 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 the power to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having good indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions could need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is necessary for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters are supposed to face a specific direction, indicated by an arrow written on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing toward the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure 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 in the direction of the furnace or AC.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to point their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your mobile 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 routine furnace maintenance call.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Replacing the filter on your furnace or AC is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to take out a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make sure to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found within 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 the same way.
- Take out the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Document the date: Write down the date of replacement on the new filter's frame. This will help you keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Insert 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 your last filter.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits securely and close any latches or clips that secure it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is completely in place, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Cause a Furnace Not to Work?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease 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 effectively.
