But as a general rule, you can expect to find the filter location depending on these factors:
- For horizontal units, you will likely find the filter on the side of it.
- For vertical upflow units where the air comes in from the bottom, look for the filter location in the bottom door.
- For vertical downflow units (air comes in from the top), you can expect to find the filters in the top door.
Which air filter is best for your home?
- 5-In-1 true HEPA air filter
- Honeycomb activated-carbon filter
- Anion generator
- Auto mode
- Digital display
Which air filter should I Choose?
• Polyester/cotton pleated (MERV: 6) disposable air filters are an affordable option and provide average cleaning and removal of small particles, as long as they are replaced frequently. • Electrostatic cotton and paper (MERV: 10) provides excellent filtering properties with regular replacement.
How do I replace the air filter?
To replace your air filter:
- Have your new filter ready and confirm its correct size. ...
- Carefully remove the old filter and avoid dropping dust collected in the old filter.
- Wipe down the filter area and surrounding equipment surfaces with a cloth or paper towel.
- Fit in the new filter by observing the direction of arrows printed on the filter and the air filter frame.
How do I choose the right air filter?
Steps:
- To ensure you're purchasing the correct-size filters, remove the old air filter from the furnace and check its dimensions, which are indicated by thickness, width and length.
- When buying new air filters, disregard any that you can easily see through.
- Pleated filters have larger surface areas to trap more dirt.
Which direction do air filters go?
Air filters have arrows printed on the sides of them that show you which way they are supposed to be installed. These arrows should be pointing in the direction that air flows through your system, which is away from the supply ducts and (typically) toward the blower.
What happens if air filter is 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.
Does the metal side in air filter go up or down?
If the filter is in the wall or ceiling, then the mesh should face the inside of the wall or ceiling. What is this? The metal mesh should always be on the downstream side of the airflow in your HVAC system.
Does it matter which side of air filter faces out?
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.
What happens if engine air filter is installed wrong?
When properly installed it only allows filtered air through to the engine. If debris sneaks by the wrong filter, it can pit and scratch your cylinders, which lowers horsepower and can lead down the path to overheating the block, cracking or even seizing.
Is it better to push or pull air through a filter?
Bottom Line: Controlled tests found no benefit of putting the air filter on the back (pulling) compared to the front (pushing). Instead, results showed distance from the filter to the fan affected purifier performance more.
Why do Air Filters have a Direction?
Air filters have a direction to ensure that the air is filtered correctly.
What direction should the air filter be pointed?
If you are installing an air filter in the ceiling, you will want to ensure that the air filter’s arrow is pointed toward the ceiling.
What happens if you install an air filter in the wrong direction?
If the air filter is installed in the wrong direction, it will not filter the air properly. Airflow may be stalled. In some cases, the structural integrity of the air filter may also be reduced.
Why is wire mesh used in air filters?
Filters installed in the wrong direction will also be structurally unsound. The purpose of the wire mesh is to hold the air filter’s structure as air rushes through. If it is the wrong way around, it doesn’t support the structure. Instead, it sort-of weakens the structure, which is never a good thing.
Why do you need an arrow on a furnace?
Since you want the air flowing into the furnace, you will want the arrow pointing toward the furnace. If you install it in the opposite direction, the furnace will have to work a lot harder. This can increase energy bills, resulting in excess wear and tear on the furnace.
Which way should the wire mesh facing outward be?
If you are 100% sure that the air filter does not have an arrow, then the side with the wire mesh should be facing outward.
What happens if you have a reduced airflow?
Remember, if there is reduced airflow, it will be putting a lot more strain on the components in the furnace or the air conditioner. This means that your maintenance bills are going to be a lot higher.
