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12.12.2024
Brooke Kirshne
To keep your home comfortable and safe while making sure that your heating system is running perfectly you need to ensure that you have installed your furnace air filter in the right way. Installing an air filter in your furnace is a simple task that is quite essential for maintaining proper heating in your home. When the air filter is installed correctly then it helps maintain the airflow, stops airborne particles like dust and debris from causing damage to your furnace, and provides you with a clean indoor environment.
When the furnace air filter is installed incorrectly then it can lead to multiple problems and can compromise the overall performance of your furnace. It will cause restrictions in the airflow causing the furnace to work harder and consume more energy than required. In addition, improper installation of the furnace air filter allows dust and other harmful contaminants to pass through the filter resulting in poor air quality which eventually becomes the reason for several health-related problems like asthma, coughing, allergies, and many more.
So, it is essential for you to know which way the air filter goes in the furnace. In this blog, we will go through valuable information like a full explanation of what furnace air filters are, how you can differentiate between front and back, proper steps you can follow for the correct way of air filter installation, some common mistakes that you should avoid while installing and the warning signs that your furnace air filter is installed incorrectly.
Furnace Air Filters Explained
The furnace air filter is one of the most important parts of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The main objective of this amazing air filter is to capture dust, pollen, and other harmful airborne pollutants. This quality prevents these contaminations from circulating in the air of your home. By trapping these particles the air filter not only helps you to maintain a clean indoor air environment but also protects your health and the well-being of other people around you.
Using an air filter in your furnace is especially important for people who are suffering from health issues like allergies, asthma, and other sickness. Other than improving the air quality it also protects the internal parts of your furnace. When pollution particles like dust and debris get collected in your system then it leads to blockages which eventually decrease the efficiency and can cause you to spend money on expensive repairs. By properly installing and taking care of your furnace air filter you will be able to enjoy clean and fresh air in your home or office.
How To Tell Which Way The Air Filter Goes In Furnace
It is extremely essential for you to know the correct way that your air filter will go in the furnace. When the furnace air filter is installed correctly then it helps in the proper functioning of your furnace. There are many air filters that are manufactured with the airflow direction printed in the form of an arrow on the frame of the air filter. The point of the arrow displays the direction in which the air should flow out of the filter. This simple thing is quite effective and helps make sure of the proper airflow in your furnace system.
If your air filter does not have an airflow direction arrow printed on it then also you can easily check out the correct way for your air filter to go into the furnace. For this, you will be required to understand the physical structure of the air filter. There are mostly only 2 sides in an air filter, one side is tougher and difficult to bend as it has lots of wires in it to provide support while the other side is much softer and is designed for capturing small airborne particles. The inflexible side will face the blower of the furnace as it is built to handle the airflow pressure.
Step By Step Instructions For Furnace Air Filter Installation
Once you have learned the right direction for installing the furnace air filter the next part is to make sure that the whole process of installation is done correctly. Installing or replacing a new air filter with an old one is a simple task that can help you in many ways like improving the efficiency of the system and increasing the air quality in your home or office. To better understand you can follow the simple steps given below to make sure that the filter is installed correctly.
Step 1: Switch Off The Furnace
It is the very first and foremost step of installing a furnace air filter. Before you start the installation process you need to be sure about your safety. Turning off the furnace will prevent the dust from blowing on your face and reduce the chances of getting electrocuted.
Step 2: Discover The Slot Of The Filter
The next thing you need to do is to find the slot where the air filter will get installed. The slot is mostly located near the compartment of the blower or the return air duct. If you have any trouble finding the slot then you can check the manual of the furnace to know about the exact location.
Step 3: Take Out The Old Filter
You need to be extra cautious in this step as you have to carefully slide out the old air filter. While doing that you need to make sure to take notes of the way the old air filter was installed. It will be a great help for you especially when your new air filter does not have the airflow direction arrow.
Step 4: Place The New Air Filter
Check carefully the airflow arrows and make sure that they are pointing toward the blower of the furnace. When you position the air filter correctly it helps you to get proper airflow while trapping the pollutants like dust, dirt, and debris before any of these contaminants reach the furnace.
Step 5: Close To Secure The Slot
It is vital that you completely close the slot as it helps in making sure that the air filter fits in a well-protected manner. By closing you secure the slot as it will help in preventing any leaks in the air while keeping the air filter in the right place.
Step 6: Restart The Furnace Back On
The last step of the installation process is to switch on the power supply. By doing this you will get to see if the furnace is working properly without having any problem or making any unusual noises. If you hear any strange sounds then it means that the filter is not installed correctly.
Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Air Filters In Your Furnace
There are some common mistakes that many people make while installing an air filter in their furnace. When the furnace air filter is not installed properly then it will not be efficient in reducing indoor air pollution and can even cause damage to your system. So, it is important that you be careful during the installation process. Below you will see the mistakes that you should avoid while installing air filters in your furnace.
1. Backward Installing The Filter: This is one of the most common mistakes that people make when installing an air filter in their furnace. When a person installs the filter in a backward position then it creates multiple problems like restriction in airflow, increasing the workload in the furnace, and decreasing its efficiency. So, always remember to check the arrow while installing an air filter.
2. Not Cleaning The Slot: It is essential that you check for dust and debris in the slot before you install the new air filter. If you do not clean the furnace slot then it will allow the pollutants to pass through the filter and enter your furnace which will eventually cause damage to the system and reduce the indoor air quality.
3. Using Improper Size Air Filter: Another major mistake that lots of people make is to use the wrong size air filter for your system. It creates many big problems like compromising the quality of air along with putting unnecessary pressure on your furnace. So, before you install an air filter make sure you check the size required for your furnace.
Warning Signs Your Furnace Air Filter Is Installed Incorrectly
There are certain signs that you will start to notice when you install the air filter incorrectly in your furnace. A wrongly installed air filter will affect the performance of your system and can impact the overall comfort of your home. Read on to learn about the signs
1. Reduced Airflow: The first sign that you get from incorrectly installing a furnace air filter is the weak flow of air. The major reason behind this is because of installing a filter backward or not correctly aligned with the flow of air.
2. Increased Energy Bills: An incorrectly installed air filter will put a load on the furnace and will cause it to work harder and consume more energy while operating to provide you with a comfortable atmosphere. So, when you see that your energy bills are increasing then it is an indication of the wrongly installed air filter.
3. Strange Noises From The Furnace: When you start to hear strange sounds like whistling, humming, hissing, or humming coming from your furnace then it means that the furnace air filter is not installed correctly causing the imbalance in the pressure resulting in making unusual sounds.
Conclusion
You have gained complete knowledge of furnace air filters that will help you tell which way the air filter goes in the furnace, proper and detailed steps for installing an air filter in your furnace, common mistakes that you need to avoid, and some warning signs that you might not have installed the furnace air filter correctly. All of this information will help you to know which way does air filter goes in the furnace.
We at Custom Filters Direct design custom air filters that will fit perfectly with your furnace. So, if you are looking for the best quality air filters that are made from highly durable materials that will last for a long time while keeping your furnace safe and efficient. With our filter, you will be able to keep your indoor air clean. If you have any questions that you want to ask then you can send us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com or give us a call at 877-958-5612. Our skilled staff members with years of experience are happy to help you.
