Selecting the right 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 vital function in keeping its system working safely, efficiently and for a long time.
An overused furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling 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 running efficiently. It’s also about creating healthy indoor air quality for your home.
Your health is important to the HVAC specialists at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning. We've long worked with an eye on enhancing indoor air quality in Moline. 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?
When Should I Replace My Furnace Air Filter?
It is important to replace dirty air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Dirty filters cause the system to worker harder than it should because it takes extra work to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend checking your furnace filter every 30 days and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if your filter needs changing because it will coated with dirt or dust. Those who have pets will likely have to replace their furnace air filter more often, because a quality 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 flowing 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, within the furnace. It's usually housed inside of a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for details regarding filter location of the furnace in your home.
Are Air Filters and Furnace Filters the Same Thing?
The easy answer is, yes. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioning filter are effectively the same. While they might be called different things based on the current season— summer or winter—they are all filters that clean the air in your home.
They each remove dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air that is drawn into the furnace and air conditioning system, making sure the air distributed throughout your home is clean and safe.
What Is a MERV Rating 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 pick a replacement. That means deciding on the level of filtration that you need. One approach to this is by selecting 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 molecules. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, with greater numbers indicating a greater ability to filter smaller particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers a good balance between having healthy indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. However, people with specific health conditions may need a a higher MERV rating.
Where to Insert the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioning System
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner properly is important for the efficient operation of the system. Air filters have a specific direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be installed with this arrow pointing at the furnace or AC, which is the direction of the airflow. If you're unsure about the airflow direction, try 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 face their system's air filter. To help remember, consider taking a quick 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 great time to do this is during a regular furnace maintenance visit.
How to Change a Furnace Air Filter
Changing the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step list of how to take out a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Be sure to shut off your furnace before starting up the process.
- Locate the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is positioned 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 new filter to point the same way.
- Take out the old filter: Be diligent not to knock out any dust or particles.
- Record the date: Write down the date of replacement 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 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 correctly and close any latches or clips that secure it in the compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the new filter is completely installed, you can turn your furnace back on.
Will a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The short 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 easiest things you can do to keep your system running effectively.