Will a backward furnace filter damage my furnace?
While an occasional backward filter installation is not likely to cause damage to the system, it can cost you money in efficiency. 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.
Which side of the air filter faces the blower?
All air filters have an Air Flow arrow. ALWAYS FACE THE BLOWER! That way you are sure to have the strong side where it needs to be. Obviously there is a 50/50 shot at getting it right. And I don't know what percentage I see where it is installed backwards.
What happens when air filter direction is wrong?
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. Most air filters have arrows printed on the sides that act as indicator marks that point to the direction of airflow.
Which direction do furnace air filters point?
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. If you have a service person install air filters for you, take a look at how she puts them in, and which way the arrows point.
What happens if you install air filter backwards?
By installing your filter backwards, air will have a harder time flowing through the filter and your air handler will have to work harder to make up for the loss of airflow. This could lead to higher utility bills and possibly damage your furnace or air conditioner.
Which way the air filter goes?
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.
Does direction matter for air filter?
HVAC filter direction matters because air flows through it in one direction. While its two sides look the same, one is more porous to allow air to get inside. Otherwise, air can't pass, and the unit itself must work harder and longer, leading to higher energy consumption and efficiency loss.
How do I know which way the air flows in my AC?
The easiest way to tell which way air flows in an AC unit is by holding a strip of paper where the filter goes. Turn on the AC unit and watch the direction it blows. Another way to determine the direction of airflow is to look for an arrow in or around the filter slot.
Which way is the airflow?
0:021:18Which way does the airflow arrow point on my furnace filter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you having a filter look on the side of it and you'll always find an arrow that says airflow.MoreOnce you having a filter look on the side of it and you'll always find an arrow that says airflow.
Does the arrow point up or down on an air filter?
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.
Why install a filter the right way?
Installing the filter the right way the structured side is intended to prevent the filter material from getting drawn into the unit. As the filter gets dirtier it restricts air flow more and more . If the filter is not installed the right way, the filter material can get sucked into the unit, and it can break off and get into the blower fins, ...
How deep are hvac filters?
One would think that some engineer would design a hvac system and filters that can only be inserted one way. As a aside, we have a system that requires filters that are 17" deep, not the industry standard 20". Even the builder installed the 20" filters so there is no "seal" on the system and filtration suffers - not good for newer construction.
Why is filtration important in HVAC?
My recommendation: filtration is a VERY IMPORTANT aspect of the HVAC system! The filter keeps the system clean and does filter some of the air. Don't believe the TV commercials that if you use their wondrous high-filtration filter your health and the health of your family will improve.
What is HVAC filter?
The HVAC filter is constructed such that one side has a filter material and the other has some form of material to strengthen the filter's structure. The filter in this photo has a metal mesh. You can also see that this filter has not been replaced since they invented dust. But that is another issue altogether.
Can a filter break a system?
A filter can make or break the system Nathan. And worst case is just that.
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Why put an air filter in backwards?
However, if you’re not careful, an air filter put in backwards can lead to quite a few problems with your heating and cooling system.
Why is my furnace filter backwards facing?
The most common problem you will face with a backwards facing filter is simple inefficiency. If your furnace is forced to blow air through the non-porous end of a filter, it will take more energy to do so. The blower will be overworked and you will pay more money for your heating. The same is doubly true for an air conditioner which has multiple filters in place to keep outdoor contaminants out of your indoor air.
Does a filter help with clogged air?
In effect, your filter will help keep debris in the air. This results in a clogged filter and improperly cleaned air when it reaches your lungs. If you have a home indoor air quality system it will help to supplement this problem for a while, but the clog will eventually become too much for your system.
Does a filter help with air quality?
If you set your filter up backwards, the normally collective end of the device will not face the air supply. In effect, your filter will help keep debris in the air.
Can an air conditioner blower be overworked?
The blower will be overworked and you will pay more money for your heating. The same is doubly true for an air conditioner which has multiple filters in place to keep outdoor contaminants out of your indoor air. Beyond the cost of improper filtering, you will likely suffer from a decrease in indoor air quality.
Why do furnaces have backwards filter?
That way, the filter does its job of preventing dust from accumulating on blowers and motors inside the furnace. While an occasional backward filter installation is not likely to cause damage to the system, it can cost you money in efficiency.
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.
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.
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.
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.
