Learn how to Select and When to Change It

Selecting the right furnace filter and altering it when it turns into soiled is as vital to your HVAC system as altering the oil is to your automotive. Every performs an important half in maintaining its system working safely, effectively and for a very long time.

A clogged furnace filter loses its effectiveness, permitting doubtlessly dangerous particles to flow into by your own home. It additionally slows airflow, which might injury your furnace and scale back its life span.

Ensuring your furnace makes use of a clear filter that’s splendid to your wants isn’t just about maintaining your furnace working effectively. It’s additionally about creating good indoor air high quality to your residence.

Your well being is vital to the heating and cooling execs at Anderson Heating & A/C. We have lengthy centered on enhancing indoor air high quality in Carson Metropolis. Right here, we’ve answered frequent questions on HVAC filters, together with that particularly difficult query of what course do you level a filter in your furnace or air conditioner?

How Usually to Change the Air Filter in a Furnace

Consultants stress it is vital to switch soiled air filters in a furnace or air conditioner periodically. 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 the plugged-up filter.

Officers advise inspecting your furnace filter each 30 days and changing it if it’s soiled. You’ll know if the filter must be modified as a result of will probably be grey or black from dust or mud. Those that have canine and cats will very doubtless wish to change their furnace air filter extra typically, as a result of an excellent air filter will entice pet hair circulating in a house.

The place Is the Air Filter in My Furnace?

Basically, a furnace air filter is often discovered within the return air duct or blower compartment earlier than the return air goes again into the furnace. This makes certain air being pulled into the system is filtered earlier than it goes by the furnace elements and is heated.

Relying on the furnace mannequin, the filter could also be positioned on the proper, left, backside or in some circumstances, inside the furnace. It is often housed within a slot, body or cupboard for simple entry and alternative. At all times discuss with your furnace‘s proprietor handbook for info concerning filter location of your furnace.

Is a Furnace Filter the Similar as an Air Filter?

The easy reply is, sure. In HVAC, a furnace filter and an air filter or air conditioner filter are successfully equivalent. Whereas they may be referred to as various things based mostly on the present season— heat or chilly months—they’re all filters that clear the air in your residence.

They every eliminate mud, allergens, micro organism and different particulates from the air that’s drawn into the furnace and air con system, ensuring the air distributed all through your own home is clear and secure.

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

As soon as you discover your outdated furnace filter and decide when it ought to be substituted for a clear one, it’s time to select a alternative. Which means figuring out the extent of filtration that you simply want. A technique to try this is by deciding on an applicable MERV score to your wants.

MERV is an abbreviation for Minimal Effectivity Reporting Values. The MERV score signifies the effectiveness of air filters at trapping airborne particles. The score scale ranges from 1 to twenty, with higher numbers indicating the facility to filter smaller particles.

Consultants say a filter with a MERV score between 8 and 13 affords a great steadiness between having wholesome indoor air high quality with out needlessly proscribing airflow. Nevertheless, folks with some well being situations might have to buy a filters with the next MERV score.

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

Placing an air filter in a furnace or air conditioner accurately is essential for the environment friendly operation of the system. Air filters have a selected course, indicated by an arrow written on the aspect of the filter body. The filter ought to be put in with this arrow pointing within the course of the furnace or AC, which is the course of the airflow. In case you’re unsure concerning the airflow course, it could be useful to keep in mind that air all the time strikes from the return duct to the warmth or cooling supply. Subsequently, make certain that the arrow factors within the course of the furnace or air conditioner.

Many individuals wrestle with which course to level an air filter. To assist bear in mind, think about taking an image along with your mobile phone after the filter has been correctly put in by knowledgeable. Or, you additionally might ask a technician to make use of a marker to put in writing on the surface of your furnace which course the filter ought to level. An ideal time to inquire about that is throughout a daily furnace upkeep appointment.

Learn how to Change a Furnace Air Filter

Changing the filter in your furnace or AC is a simple course of. Here’s a step-by-step rundown of take out a grimy air filter and change it with a brand new one:

1. 1. Flip off your furnace: Be sure to show off your furnace earlier than beginning the method.
2. Find the furnace filter: Sometimes, the filter is discovered contained in the furnace or within the air return vent. Pay attention to which course the arrow factors on the filter, since you’ll need the arrow on the clear filter to level the identical means.
3. Take out the outdated filter: Be aware to not knock out any mud or particles.
4. Report the date: Write down the date you changed the filter on the brand new filter’s body. This may make it simpler to maintain monitor 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 towards the furnace, which is the course of airflow and ought to be the identical course the arrow pointed on the soiled filter you simply eliminated.
6. Safe the filter: Be sure the brand new filter suits accurately and shut any latches or clips that lock it within the unit.
7. Flip in your furnace: As soon as the alternative filter is safely in place, you may flip your furnace again on.

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

The shortest reply is, sure, a grimy air filter may cause a furnace to cease working or scale back its lifespan. Altering your furnace or AC filter is among the finest issues you are able to do to maintain your system working accurately.