Choosing the proper 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 working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also restricts airflow, which can damage your furnace and shorten its life span.
Making sure your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not merely about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about creating excellent indoor air quality for your residence.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating pros at Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning. We've long worked with an eye on bettering indoor air quality in Kearney. Here, we’ve answered frequent 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
Experts stress it's critical to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Dirt-clogged filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes more energy to pull air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials advise checking your furnace filter monthly 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 dogs and cats will very likely need to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is usually located in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air reaches the furnace. This makes sure air flowing into the system is filtered before it passes 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 usually housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for easy access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for facts regarding filter location of your furnace.
Is My Furnace Filter Just a Type of Air Filter?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are essentially identical. 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 home.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other airborne debris 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 Should I Have?
Once you locate your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be changed, it’s time to select a replacement. That means determining the level of filtration that you need. One method to do this 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 bigger numbers indicating enhanced capabilities to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having adequate indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with some health conditions could need to use a filter with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner
Putting an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters are supposed to face a certain direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing in the direction of the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure 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 toward the furnace or AC.
Many people are confused by 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 be installed. A perfect time to ask about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance visit.
How to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step rundown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and swap it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Look for 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 new filter to point similarly.
- Slide out the old filter: Be mindful 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 the next change.
- Slide in 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 old filter you are replacing.
- Secure the filter: Make sure the new filter fits nicely and close any latches or clips that hold it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is completely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The simple 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 operating correctly.