Choosing the ideal 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 role in keeping its system running 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 just about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about creating good indoor air quality for your home.
Your health is important to the heating professionals at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We've long focused on bettering indoor air quality in Greater Richmond. 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
Experts stress it's vital to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner regularly. Dirty 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 examining your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will filled with dirt or dust. Those who have dogs and cats will probably have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality air filter will trap pet hair circulating in a home.
Locating Your Furnace's Air Filter
In general, a furnace air filter is normally installed in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This makes sure air being pulled into the system is filtered before it passes 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 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 particular brand and model of 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 effectively the same. While people may call them different things based on the current season— summer or winter—they are all filters that clean the air in your HVAC system.
They each remove 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 the MERV Rating System and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you track down your old furnace filter and determine when it should be substituted for a clean one, it’s time to choose a replacement. That means picking the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by picking an appropriate MERV rating for your needs.
MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating calculates the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating a greater ability to filter tinier particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having adequate indoor air quality without overly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions might need to purchase a filters with a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioning System
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner the proper way is necessary for the efficient operation of the heating or cooling 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 air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're not sure about the airflow direction, it may be helpful to remember that air always moves from the return duct to the heat or cooling source. Therefore, make certain the arrow points toward the furnace or air conditioner.
Many people struggle with which direction to install an air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your cellular 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 be installed. A perfect time to inquire about this is during a routine furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to remove a dirty air filter and replace it with a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is located in 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 replacement filter to point similarly.
- Remove the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or debris.
- Document the date: Write down the date you changed filters on the new filter's frame. This will help your family keep track of when it's time for the next change.
- Slide in 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 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 unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the clean filter is completely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The shortest answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to cease working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioner filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system operating efficiently.