What happens if you put your air filter in the wrong way?
When you insert your air filter the wrong way it won’t filter your home’s air very efficiently, which can lead to a variety of maintenance problems. You can experience even worse problems if you don’t change your air filter at all.
How do I know which way to put my air filter in?
Luckily, most air filters are designed so that they will not fit properly unless they are inserted correctly. Look for the airflow arrows printed on the side of the air filter that indicate which direction the filter should be inserted. (Shown in the image below.)
Is it possible to install an air filter backwards?
We all do it without thinking about it. We swap out or air filters in our home without giving it much thought. However, there is a correct way to install your home’s air filter, and installing it backward can waste money and cause long-term damage to your system if you’re not careful.
Do you really need an air filter in your HVAC system?
Without an air filter, expect lower performance, higher energy bills, and premature breakdowns of your HVAC system. 2. You don’t need as high of a MERV rating as you think you do Now that I’ve told you that you absolutely need an air filter in your HVAC system, you should just go out and buy the strongest one, right? Wrong.
Which way does the air filter go in?
Slide the new filter in with the arrow pointing toward the furnace. Replacing your air filter is not difficult. Remember that air flows from your ducts, through the filter, and into the furnace. The arrow on the filter should always point toward the furnace.
Can you put an air filter in backwards?
Air filters are constructed to be installed in a certain direction. Installing your air filter backward can restrict airflow through the air filter, cause the filter structure to fail, and allow dust, dirt, and other debris to get past the filter and collect on the evaporator coil.
Does it matter which side of the air filter goes up?
1:532:54Which Direction Does The Arrow Go When Installing an Air Filter? (How ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo air flowing up so just don't care what it says just look at the arrow. And point it towards theMoreSo air flowing up so just don't care what it says just look at the arrow. And point it towards the ceiling or towards the wall that's it get the new filter.
Which side goes down on air filter?
If your filter is on the wall, the arrow should face the wall. Does your filter not have an arrow on it? First check again as nearly all filters do have it, likely in the corner of one of the sides. If it does not have an arrow though, you'll want the side with the wire-frame to be facing outward.
What happens if you put an air filter in the wrong way on the furnace?
When a furnace filter is placed backwards, the fibers can't do their job properly. This means your furnace has to work harder to generate the same air flow, resulting in increased energy costs. Particles are also allowed to build up irregularly, making the furnace working even harder to draw air.
How do I know which way the airflow is on my furnace?
0:262:11Which Way Does The Air Flow Through My Furnace? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you're going to use your airflow arrows will be pointed towards the furnace like this the otherMoreSo you're going to use your airflow arrows will be pointed towards the furnace like this the other thing you could do is if your furnace was running in heating or cooling mode.
Should air filter arrow point up or down?
Position the airflow arrow so that it points in the direction the air is flowing. In addition to clean air, filters also protect your HVAC system from debris and dirt buildup. The airflow arrow should point towards the furnace/blower motor to collect harmful particles before it reaches the furnace's equipment.
What does the arrow on an air filter mean?
Not every furnace filter has an arrow stamped on its side, but when you do see it, it indicates which direction the filter has to face. It always points to the direction of the furnace's air handler or blower compartment.
Which way does the arrow on a furnace filter go?
The arrow points in the direction of the airflow. The point should go toward the inside of the furnace compartment. If the filter goes inside the ductwork, it should point toward the air handler or the furnace.
What happens if you don't have an air filter?
In other words with the filter is installed in the direction with the airflow, not against it. Air passes through the air filter which (depending on the type of air filter you have) catches dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants. If no air filter is present in the air return, these airborne contaminants end up collecting on the evaporator coil.
What to do if your air filter fails?
However, if this is a habitual event, you will need to get your HVAC system examined by a licensed HVAC contractor and get your HVAC back on a routine maintenance schedule.
How does a blower fan work?
The blower fan turns on and begins blowing air towards the supply ducts. As the blower is running the fan draws air from the return duct. Thus air flows from inside the house across the evaporator coil located inside the air handler. The air is heated or cooled before it flows into the supply ducts and then back into the house.
Why do air filters have arrows?
Why Do Air Filters Have Direction Arrows. Air filters have direction arrows to indicate which direction to install the air filter in the return. The directional arrow points in the direction of the airflow which is into the return duct. The filter is installed with the arrow facing into the air return.
How long do air filters last?
Disposable air filters are not meant to last longer than 3 months. Some only last about 1 month. Let's look at both.
Where does the air handler blow?
The air handler contains a blower fan. The blower fan sits at the opening to the air handler and blows in the direction of the supply duct. As the blower fan blows towards the supply duct, it's drawing air through the return duct from inside the house. Here are the steps:
Can you install an air filter backwards?
Installing your air filter backward can restrict airflow through the air filter, cause the filter structure to fail, and allow dust, dirt, and other debris to get past the filter and collect on the evaporator coil.
Why is it important to clean air filters?
Clean air filters improve your indoor air quality and minimize the wear and tear on your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. When you insert your air filter the wrong way it won’t filter your home’s air very efficiently, which can lead to a variety of maintenance problems.
Why is there a wire mesh on the downstream side of a filter?
The purpose of this wire mesh is to give the filter the rigidity and strength it needs to capture particles.
What should the arrow on a furnace filter point toward?
When you insert your new filter, the arrow should point toward the furnace. Now that you’ve learned how to properly change your air filter and made sure it’s inserted correctly, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your clean, filtered air.
How to get rid of dust in furnace?
1) Turn Off the Power to Your Furnace or Air Handler. Your air filter can collect a lot of dust, so it’s a good idea to always turn off the power to your furnace since you don’t want to suck up the dislodged dust into your unprotected HVAC system.
Why does a furnace filter lose efficiency?
A furnace or central air unit that has to pull in air through the non-porous side of a filter loses efficiency because it runs longer, requiring more energy. The result is a spike in the utility bill.
How does a furnace filter work?
The furnace pulls in cold air from the home, warms it through a heat exchanger, and blows the heated air back into the living space. Air in the home collects dust and fibers that could harm the internal components of a furnace. The filter prevents this from happening by collecting the dust and debris before it reaches those critical furnace components. Some filter designs even capture smaller particles, such as those that produce allergic reactions in people, in order to keep the living-space air as clean as possible.
Where are the arrows on a furnace filter?
Whether furnace filters are located at the plenum inside the furnace cabinet, or at the cold air return near the ceiling, the arrows must point toward the furnace -- the direction of the airflow -- when installed.
Does a backwards filter hurt furnace?
While an occasional backward filter installation is not likely to cause damage to the system, it can cost you money in efficiency.
Can a furnace filter be installed in the wrong way?
Air quality inside the living space also suffers when a furnace filter is installed the wrong way. The filter cannot capture dust particles as well when air moves through the filter in the wrong direction. That unwanted debris ends up floating in the home’s air instead of being trapped by the filter.
