As a homeowner, you may have plenty of questions about your HVAC unit, like, “Which way does air flow in a furnace so I can install a new furnace filter?”
Many questions about your HVAC system are best directed to a professional HVAC company in the Hamptons that can quickly answer all of your inquiries. Our experts are here to provide answers; discover which way air flows through the furnace and other valuable information you may want to know.
Why You Need To Know About Air Flow
Which way does air flow in your furnace? Homeowners need to know the direction of airflow because it determines the installation direction of the furnace filter. Every furnace has a return duct that carries in the air. Once you know this, you find the arrow on the filter; when installing the filter, the arrow always faces toward the furnace and away from the return duct.
Importance of a Clean & Properly Installed Furnace Filter
All this information about air flow and furnace filters might make you wonder why having a properly installed air filter in your HVAC system is so important. With a clean and properly installed air filter, you can avoid damaging your furnace because it won’t work harder to push air through the non-breathable side of the filter. Furthermore, without a working filter, the airflow quantity decreases, straining your unit and potentially causing lasting damage and inefficiency.
Which Furnace Filter Is Best?
The right filter depends on the size of your furnace and the MERV rating you’d like. First, you need to find the dimensions of your furnace filter to choose the right size. Typically, this information is on the side of the currently installed filter.
After finding the correct size, you’ll want to choose the level of filtration you desire. These levels of filtration are determined by MERV rating. The MERV rating (minimum efficiency rating value) ranges from one to 20, and it bases its values on a filter’s ability to catch particles of various sizes.
The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the particles the filter can catch, resulting in better filtration. If you and your loved ones have allergies, consider a higher rating than those without.
However, certain home furnaces cannot handle the highest MERV rating. For this reason, it is best to speak with a trained HVAC professional to determine what MERV rating filter works for your furnace to get the protection you need.
Signs Your Filter Needs Replacing
Numerous signs indicate your furnace needs some attention and may need to have a filter replacement. Some of these signs include:
- Poor airflow coming from vents
- Increased allergies and poor indoor air quality
- Inconsistent heating and cooling
- Higher utility bills
- Furnace cycling on and off constantly
- Whistling noises due to poor air flow through the clogged filter
How To Correctly Install a Furnace Filter
Now that you’ve learned the importance of furnace filters and air flow, it’s time to learn how to install yours.
The first step is to locate the filter and then slide it out of the furnace. Some furnaces have covers you must remove before reaching the filter, while others do not.
Next, you must open and remove any packaging on the new filter. Once opened, identify the arrow on the filter, which indicates which way the filter must face. Finally, slide the new filter into place with the arrow pointing toward the furnace.
Benefits of New Furnace Filters
There are many advantages to installing a new furnace filter for your home, including:
- Improves indoor air quality
- Puts less strain on the HVAC unit
- Making your furnace more efficient
- Proper airflow leads to better heating and cooling
- Extend HVAC unit lifespan
- Decrease the need for HVAC repairs
Trust Local HVAC Professionals
Call a local team of HVAC professionals to inspect your furnace and install filters when in doubt. In addition to installing furnace filters, Complete Comfort Control in Hamptons, NY, can help with delayed ignition on a gas furnace, HVAC installation, regular maintenance, and repairs.
Complete Comfort Control individualizes every HVAC need to provide precise repairs, upgrades, and installations so you and your loved ones are comfortable year-round. Better yet, we tailor all our HVAC solutions to fit your needs and remain within your budget.
So, when you need your questions answered, like, “Which way does air flow in your furnace?” or how to change out a filter, we’re here to help. Call Complete Comfort Control at 631-946-4908 to speak with a professional heating and cooling expert today.