Find out how to Select and When to Change It

Deciding on the suitable furnace filter and altering it when it’s soiled is as essential to your HVAC system as altering the oil is to your automotive. Every performs a vital half in protecting its system working safely, effectively and for a very long time.

A grimy furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting probably dangerous particles to circulate by way of your house. It additionally limits airflow, which might harm your furnace and cut back its life span.

Guaranteeing your furnace makes use of a clear filter that’s appropriate on your wants will not be solely about protecting your furnace working effectively. It’s additionally about creating wonderful indoor air high quality on your residence.

Your well being is essential to the HVAC specialists at B&D Air Conditioning. We have lengthy been devoted to enhancing indoor air high quality in Safford. Right here, we’ve answered frequent questions on HVAC filters, together with that very difficult query of what path do you level a filter in your furnace or air conditioner?

How Usually to Change the Air Filter in a Furnace

It is important to exchange soiled air filters in a furnace or air conditioner routinely. Soiled filters trigger the system to employee more durable than it ought to as a result of it takes further work to maneuver air by way of the plugged-up filter.

Officers advise inspecting your furnace filter each 30 days and changing it if it’s soiled. You’ll know in case your filter wants altering as a result of it would crammed with filth or mud. Those that have pets that shed will most likely need to substitute their furnace air filter extra typically, as a result of a high quality air filter will entice pet hair circulating in a house.

The place Is the Air Filter in My Furnace?

On the whole, a furnace air filter is often discovered within the return air duct or blower compartment earlier than the return air reaches the furnace. This ensures air getting into the system is filtered earlier than it goes by way of the furnace elements and is heated.

Relying on the kind of furnace, the filter could also be discovered on the suitable, left, backside or in some instances, contained in the furnace. It is often housed in a slot, body or cupboard for handy entry and alternative. At all times seek advice from your furnace‘s proprietor guide for information about filter location of your furnace.

Is a Furnace Filter the Similar as an Air Filter?

The straightforward reply is, sure. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioner filter are successfully the identical. Whereas folks might name them various things based mostly on the present season— scorching or chilly—they’re all filters that clear the air in your house.

They every eradicate mud, allergens, micro organism and different contaminants from the air that’s drawn into the furnace and air con system, ensuring the air circulating all through your house is clear and secure.

What Is a MERV Ranking and What MERV Ranking Do I Want?

As soon as you discover your previous furnace filter and decide when it needs to be substituted for a clear one, it’s time to decide on a alternative. Which means figuring out the extent of filtration that you simply want. A method to do this is by choosing an applicable MERV ranking on your wants.

MERV is an abbreviation for Minimal Effectivity Reporting Values. The MERV ranking measures the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The ranking scale ranges from 1 to twenty, with greater numbers indicating a better skill to filter smaller particles.

Consultants say a filter with a MERV ranking between 8 and 13 affords an excellent steadiness between having enough indoor air high quality with out unnecessarily proscribing airflow. Nevertheless, folks with sure well being circumstances may have a the next MERV ranking.

Which Method to Put the Air Filter in a Furnace or Air Conditioner

Putting in an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner correctly is essential for the environment friendly operation of the unit. Air filters are speculated to face a selected path, indicated by an arrow written on the aspect of the filter body. The filter needs to be put in with this arrow pointing on the furnace or air conditioner, which is the path of the airflow. In case you’re unsure concerning the airflow path, attempt to do not forget that air all the time strikes from the return duct after which to the warmth or cooling supply. Subsequently, make sure the arrow factors on the furnace or AC.

Many individuals are confused by which path to level an air filter. To assist bear in mind, think about snapping a fast photograph along with your cell phone after the filter has been accurately put in by knowledgeable. Or, you additionally might ask a technician to make use of a marker to jot down on the surface of your furnace which path the filter needs to be put in. A useful time to ask about that is throughout a routine furnace upkeep appointment.

Find out how to Change a Furnace Air Filter

Altering the filter in your furnace or air con system is an easy course of. Here’s a step-by-step rundown of how one can take away a unclean air filter and substitute it with a brand new one:

1. 1. Flip off your furnace: Make a degree to modify off your furnace earlier than beginning up the method.
2. Discover the furnace filter: Sometimes, the filter is positioned contained in the furnace or within the air return vent. Make a psychological notice or write down which path the arrow factors on the filter, since you’ll need the arrow on the alternative filter to level the identical means.
3. Slide out the previous filter: Be aware to not knock out any mud or filth.
4. Notice the date: Write down the date you modified filters on the brand new filter’s body. This may assist your loved ones hold observe of when it is time so that you can change it once more.
5. Insert new filter: Put within the new filter with the arrow pointing within the path of the furnace, which is the path of airflow and needs to be the identical path the arrow pointed in your final filter.
6. Safe the filter: Ensure that the brand new filter suits properly and shut any latches or clips that maintain it in place.
7. Flip in your furnace: As soon as the brand new filter is correctly in place, you’ll be able to flip your furnace again on.

Will a Soiled Air Filter Trigger a Furnace To not Work?

The shortest reply is, sure, a unclean air filter could cause a furnace to give up working or lower its lifespan. Altering your furnace or AC filter is among the best issues you are able to do to maintain your system working effectively.