
The higher the MERV rating, the more it filters.
However, many residential furnaces work with MERV ratings up to MERV 13, but not many. MERV 7 or 8 pleated filters are recommended for most residential HVAC systems. If you’re looking for a new furnace filter, you’ve probably seen MERV and HEPA filters. Thin filters (1-inch thick) may require replacement once a month, while thick 5-inch and 6-inch filters could last up to a year. Note: However, the general rule of thumb amongst HVAC professionals is about one to four times a year.
Indoor air quality in your home (burning candles, spraying aerosols, smoking, and cooking with fire will all clog a furnace filter faster). The amount of shedding pets in your home. How often you replace your filter depends on various factors, including: The airflow direction is important when you replace your filter, so is changing it out at the proper intervals. When Should You Change Your Furnace Filter? Take your time and wiggle it back and forth if you’re having issues. HVAC manufacturers do this intentionally, so there is less air loss through any gaps.Īs such, it may be difficult to squeeze your filter in the slot. Note: Filter slots are usually a “tight fit” for the air filter. Orient the filter, so its airflow direction arrows match the airflow arrow direction on the filter slot and insert it. Once you remove the cover and the old filter, grab the new filter and get ready to insert it. Some filter slots will have a sheet metal cover that matches the ductwork usually, it has thumbscrews for easy removal. The filter slot is typically vertical in orientation (but sometimes horizontal), and the filter inserts into the slot much like a chip-style credit card goes inside an ATM. It is positioned adjacent to your furnace, where the main ductwork trunk connects to it. To make things easier, just make sure the arrows on the air filter point in the same direction as the arrows on the air handler. If the air is flowing to the right, the air should point to the right. The arrows on your furnace filter should always point in the same direction as the airflow. Which Way Should the Arrows Point on the Furnace Filter? You should feel the movement easily, but if not, use a thin sheet of paper– the air will push it in the direction it is flowing. Stick your hand or piece of paper into the filter opening to determine the airflow direction. To determine the airflow direction, if you don’t have an arrow indicating it, turn off your furnace (put the thermostat to “off”), turn the fan option from “auto” to “on,” then remove your filter. If you can’t find an arrow on your furnace, look harder or determine the direction with your hand or a piece of paper. So, if it is pointing to the left, that means the air is moving from the right to the left. The arrows point in the direction of the airflow. Usually, furnaces have multiple arrows stamped into the metal near the filter housing. To determine the airflow direction in your furnace, all you have to do is look for an arrow on the side of it. Which Way Does the Airflow in My Furnace? If the heat can’t escape into your home, it overheats the furnace and leads to short cycling. Info: When a backward filter blocks enough airflow, it will trap lots of heat inside the furnace. It usually doesn’t cause any lasting damage to your furnace, so you shouldn’t worry about it after correcting the filter orientation. Short cycling is a safety feature it shuts off the furnace to prevent damage from overheating. Your furnace is shutting off before reaching your thermostat’s setpoint ( short cycling). If you’re feeling chilled after replacing your furnace filter, you will notice that your furnace is running more than usual.
So, how do you know if you’ve put your furnace filter in backward? It will reduce airflow, which puts strain on the HVAC equipment, dramatically reduces efficiency, and increases heating costs. If you put your HVAC filter in backward, there is a slight chance you will harm your furnace.
What Happens if You Put Your Furnace Filter in Backwards? Info: All furnaces have arrows indicating the airflow direction. So, when installing your new filter, make sure the filter’s arrows are pointing in the same direction as the arrows on your gas furnace, as shown in the image above. The airflow direction of your air handler is also indicated with arrows on the outside of the filter housing.
#FURNACE AIR FLOW DIRECTION INSTALL#
You should always install the filter with the arrows pointing in the airflow direction. All furnace filters (or HVAC air filters) have arrows around the edge that point in the airflow’s direction in your air handler.