Choosing the proper 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 part in keeping its system running safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting potentially harmful particles to move through your home. It also restricts airflow, which can damage your furnace and reduce its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is suitable for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also about delivering healthy indoor air quality for your residence.
The health of your family is important to the heating pros at Premium Air Services LLC. We've long been dedicated to improving indoor air quality in Tomball. Here, we’ve answered frequent questions about HVAC filters, including that particularly 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 critical to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. Dirt-clogged filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra effort to move air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend examining your furnace filter every month 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. People who have dogs and cats will very likely have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because an effective 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 usually found in the return air duct or blower compartment before the return air gets to the furnace. This is so air entering the system is filtered before it passes through the furnace components and is heated.
Depending on the furnace brand, the filter may be found on the right, left, bottom or in some cases, within the furnace. It's typically housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for convenient access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
Is a Furnace Filter the Same as an Air Filter?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or AC filter are essentially the same thing. While people might refer to them differently based on the current season— summer or winter—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
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 flowing through your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating and What Rating Is Best for Me?
Once you track down your old furnace filter and decide when it should be replaced, it’s time to select 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 contaminants. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with bigger numbers indicating a greater ability to filter small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an appropriate balance between having good 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 AC Unit
Positioning an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is necessary for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters are designed to be installed in a certain direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be put in with this arrow pointing toward the furnace or air conditioner, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're doubtful 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 sure the arrow points at the furnace or AC.
Many people are confused by which direction to point their air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick picture with your mobile phone after the filter has been properly 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 handy time to ask about this is during a scheduled furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or air conditioner 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:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to shut off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned 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 new filter to point the same way.
- Slide out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Note the date: Write down the date you replaced the filter on the new filter's frame. This will help your family keep track of when it's time for another replacement.
- Put 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 securely and close any latches or clips that lock it in the unit.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new 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 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 operating efficiently.