Selecting the correct 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 vital role in keeping its system operating safely, efficiently and for a long time.
A dirty furnace filter loses its effectiveness, enabling potentially harmful particles to flow through your home. It also slows airflow, which can damage your furnace and reduce its life span.
Ensuring your furnace uses a clean filter that is appropriate for your needs is not just about keeping your furnace operating efficiently. It’s also about creating healthy indoor air quality for your household.
The quality of the air your family breathes is important to the heating and cooling specialists 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 frequent 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
Experts stress it's 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 more energy to force air through the plugged-up filter.
Officials recommend inspecting your furnace filter monthly and replacing it if it’s dirty. You’ll know if the filter needs to be changed because it will coated with dirt or dust. Those who have pets 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.
How to Find the Furnace's Air Filter
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 goes 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, inside the furnace. It's usually housed within a slot, frame or cabinet for simple access and replacement. Always refer to your furnace's owner manual for information about filter location of your particular brand and model of furnace.
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 essentially the same. While people may call them different things based on the current season— hot or cold—they are all filters that clean the air in your residence.
They each get rid of dust, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants 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 Are MERV Ratings and What MERV Rating Do I Need?
Once you track down your old furnace filter and figure out when it should be changed, it’s time to choose 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 an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating measures 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 small particles.
Experts say a filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 offers an ideal balance between having healthy indoor air quality without needlessly restricting airflow. However, people with certain health conditions might need a a higher MERV rating.
How to Place the Air Filter in a Furnace or AC Unit
Installing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner properly is important for the efficient operation of the unit. Air filters are designed to be installed in a particular direction, indicated by an arrow printed on the side of the filter frame. The filter should be placed in the unit with this arrow pointing at 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 certain the arrow points toward the furnace or AC.
Many people struggle with which direction to face their system's air filter. To help remember, consider taking a picture with your mobile 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 handy time to inquire about this is during a routine furnace maintenance appointment.
Changing Your Furnace's Air Filter
Switching out the filter on your furnace or air conditioning system is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to retreive a dirty air filter and exchange it for a new one:
- Turn off your furnace: Make a point to turn off your furnace before starting the process.
- Look for the furnace filter: Typically, the filter is found in the furnace or in the air return vent. Take note of which direction the arrow points on the filter, because you’ll want the arrow on the new filter to point in the same direction.
- Take out the old filter: Be mindful not to knock out any dust or dirt.
- Note 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 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 compartment.
- Turn on your furnace: Once the replacement filter is completely secured, you can turn your furnace back on.
Can a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Furnace?
The short answer is, yes, a dirty air filter can cause a furnace to quit working or decrease its lifespan. Changing your furnace or air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running correctly.
