Selecting the correct 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 role in keeping its system operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A dirty furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and decrease its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace working efficiently. It’s also about providing healthy indoor air quality for your home.
The health of your family is important to the HVAC professionals at West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services. We've long worked with an eye on improving indoor air quality in Hudsonville. 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 vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner regularly. 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 advise examining your furnace filter every month and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if it is dirty because it will be gray or black from dirt or dust. Homeowners who have pets that shed will probably want to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a good 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 located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air goes back into 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, inside the furnace. It's generally 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.
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 AC filter are basically the same thing. While they might be called different things 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 airborne debris 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 replaced, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means determining 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 measures the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating the power to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having healthy indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions might need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
Which Way to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner properly is crucial 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 put in with this arrow pointing at the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure about the airflow direction, try to remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make certain the arrow points at the furnace or AC.
Many people have difficulty remembering which direction to install their system's air filter. To help remember, consider snapping a quick photo with your cellular 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 point. A perfect time to do this is during a regular furnace maintenance appointment.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or AC is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to retreive a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- 1. Turn off your furnace: Make sure to switch off your furnace before starting the process.
- Find the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located within 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 new filter to point in the same direction.
- Slide out the old filter: Be diligent 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 make it easier to keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Slide 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 the old filter you are replacing.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits correctly and close any latches or clips that lock it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is properly installed, 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 stop working or limit its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system running correctly.
