If you put the air filter in backward, then you run the risk that the filter will implode and damage your HVAC unit. The air filter is not designed to be put in backward since the filter material only filters properly in one direction. There are multiple layers of mesh in the air filter.
What happens if you put your air filter in the wrong direction?
If you install your filter in the wrong direction, air will have a hard time flowing through the filter’s material and your air handler will have to work overtime to make up for the loss of airflow. This is not only a waste of energy, but it can also possibly damage your air conditioner or heating system.
How do I know which direction to put my air filter?
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.) When you insert the new filter, the arrow should point toward the furnace. 5.
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.
How do I Change my HVAC air filter?
1. Turn Off the Power to Your Furnace or Air Handler Your air filter can collect a lot of dust, so it’s important to always turn off the power to your furnace. If the power remains on, your HVAC system will circulate dust, pollen, and dirt through the vents and into your home. Yikes! 2. Locate the Air Filter You’re Replacing
Does it matter which way an air filter goes in car?
2:043:24Which Way Does a Cabin Air Filter Go & Does Air Flow Direction Really ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to put your cabin air filter in. So that arrow points down air is going to be coming inMoreYou want to put your cabin air filter in. So that arrow points down air is going to be coming in through here through the top of this filter. Into the fan.
What happens if you put a furnace air filter in backwards?
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.
Which way does an air filter go on?
To properly insert a new filter, look for the arrow! The arrow on your filter should always face the unit and away from the return air duct that carries the air that will be heated or cooled. HVAC systems push the cool or warm air out and pull spent air in, recirculating the air throughout your home.
How do I know which way the airflow is on my furnace?
Stand in front of the furnace and look for the ducts. Pull the old filter out and discard it. On the new filter, find the arrow indicating the proper airflow direction. The arrow must face toward the furnace and away from the return duct that pulls the air in need of heating or cooling.
Which side of air filter faces out?
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.
Which way does airflow arrow point?
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.
Which side of furnace filter should be dirty?
In all cases, the furnace filter should be dirty on the side that the air comes into the furnace from. If your air filters are dirty in some other fashion, it is likely your furnace is not working properly, or the filter was installed incorrectly.
What does it mean when a furnace is short cycling?
Short cycling is when the furnace turns on for a short period of time but then turns off. This start-and-stop cycle can keep your home from properly warming up and may also damage your furnace itself.
Which way does the arrow go on an air filter?
Most air filters have an arrow printed on their side that indicates the direction of airflow.
What happens if you put the air filter in backward?
If you put the air filter in backward, then you run the risk that the filter will implode and damage your HVAC unit.
Which way does the air flow in an HVAC unit?
In an HVAC unit, the air flows from the return duct, through the HVAC unit, to the supply duct. In a residential central AC or furnace, the air almost always flows from the bottom to the top of the HVAC unit.
What happens if you install an air filter wrong?
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. If your evaporator coil gets dirty, your system won’t work at optimal efficiency and could clog your condensate discharge pipe causing your system to fail.
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 happens when a fiberglass filter fails?
When this happens the filter has failed and airborne contaminants are free to flow directly to the evaporator coil.
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.
What happens when an evaporator coil gets dirty?
When the evaporator coil gets dirty, the system loses energy efficiency. Condensation created at the evaporator coil picks up debris off the coil and flows into the condensate discharge pipe.
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 to tell if a filter is flat or horizontal?
Hey Joe! If your filter lays flat or horizontally, you’ll still use the same idea of pointing the arrow in the direction of the airflow. If the air flows through the filter before moving into the HVAC system, then the arrow will face towards the blower. If the filter is after the system in terms of the airflow stream, then the arrow will point away from the system. Perhaps this video will help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVYdDifRvbg
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 does it mean when an air filter label does not have an airflow arrow?
If the label does not have an airflow arrow, it means that the model design can be installed on either side.
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.
Where is the filter located on my furnace?
In most instances, your filter is located near your furnace . If you need help locating your furnace or air conditioner filter, then click here. You may have a return air grille, air cleaner cabinet, or media type filter. It all depends on your type of HVAC system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How To Know If Your Filter is Wrongly Placed?
If you face this problem and your filter has recently been replaced, then the only reason for your breathing problem is wrongly placed filters. The filters have to do more work than required which will require more power. Thus the bills will increase.
How to Stop This?
Most filters come with marks which is for indicating the front and the back end of the filter. You should pay attention to it while installing an air filter in your furnace. If you install an air filter for the first time, call a licensed HVAC contractor in Carmel, CA. Observe him while he completes the installation procedure.