Your furnace works hard to keep your home cozy and warm, so it’s important to keep it running smoothly with regular maintenance. Replacing the filter is one of the most simple and effective ways to maintain your furnace. The filter captures dust, debris, and allergens to prevent them from entering your home as your furnace distributes warm air. Without replacement, these contaminants can build up and cause blockages that limit airflow and put excess strain on your system.
Knowing your furnace filter location, function, and replacement steps helps you stay on top of maintenance and keep your unit free of obstruction. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to locate and replace your furnace filter, helping prevent clogs and keep indoor air quality at its best.
How to Locate Your Furnace
You’ll often find your furnace in the center of your home. Common locations where HVAC technicians install a furnace include:
- Utility closets
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Attics
- Garages
Check these spaces and look for a large, rectangular system that connects to ductwork. Furnaces typically have a metal casing, burner compartment, and access panel for maintenance. You can also check for a label with a brand name and model number to help identify it.
Safety Precautions
Before you begin working on your furnace, take safety precautions to prevent injuries or damage to the system. Locate the breaker and turn off the power to the unit. If you have a gas furnace, find the gas valve and turn that off as well. Allow at least 20 minutes for your furnace to cool down before handling any components.
Wearing personal protective equipment helps protect from dust and debris when removing the old filter. Put on a face mask, nitrile gloves, and shoe covers to stay safe and keep the area clean.
Identifying the Filter
The first step in replacing your furnace filter is knowing where it’s located. Its location will depend on the type of furnace you have, although most are within the blower compartment.
To find your furnace filter, look for a thin slot labeled with an arrow near a metal door or a sliding compartment near the air handler component. Inside, you’ll see a flat, rectangular component made of pleated fabric, fiberglass, or a similar material.
Removing the Old Filter
To remove the old furnace filter, slowly pull it out of the slot. Avoid shaking or disrupting the filter too much to prevent dust and debris from flying into the air. Immediately place the dirty filter into a trash bag and dispose of it.
Take note of how much dust and debris is on the filter. If it appears excessively dirty or clogged, replace it more frequently to prevent airflow obstructions and excess strain on your furnace.
Selecting a New Filter
The quality of the furnace filter you choose can significantly impact your system’s efficiency and your home’s indoor air quality. When buying a new filter, always check its MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This rating measures how effectively the filter removes harmful airborne particles from your home. Ratings range from one to 20, with higher ratings indicating more advanced filtration.
While higher ratings provide additional filtration, it doesn’t always mean they’re a better choice for your home. Most residential furnaces only require a filter with a MERV rating between eight and 13 to capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne allergens. Filters with a MERV rating over 13 are often designed for hospitals or other buildings that require the most hygienic conditions possible. If your furnace can’t handle these high-efficiency filters, they can reduce efficiency and put excess strain on your system.
Installing the New Filter
Before inserting the new filter into your furnace, look for an arrow indicating the direction of airflow. When you place the filter into the housing, the arrow should point toward the furnace or blower motor. Slide the filter into place with the arrow pointing in the correct direction.
Checking for Proper Installation
Placing the filter in your furnace in the wrong direction prevents proper function, limiting airflow, reducing efficiency, and causing your system to work harder. To check for correct installation, check that the arrow points toward the furnace. When sliding it in, it should fit snugly in the housing with no gaps or obstructions.
If you’re having trouble, contact a reputable HVAC company near you. They’ll help answer any questions you have about filter replacement and can schedule an appointment to tune up your unit and check for proper filter function.
Benefits of Regular Filter Replacement
Regularly replacing the filter helps your furnace function properly and keeps your home clear of airborne allergens and irritants. Most filters require replacement every one to two months during the heating season, with more frequent changes necessary if you have multiple pets or a household member with allergies.
Forgetting to change your furnace filter won’t cause it to immediately break down, but it can negatively impact the efficiency of your system. Dirty or clogged filters obstruct airflow, affecting your home heating, increasing energy usage, and speeding up wear and tear. By regularly replacing the filter, you’ll keep your furnace running smoothly and see benefits including:
- Improved indoor air quality.
- Lower utility bills.
- Even heating throughout your home.
- An extended furnace lifespan.
- Fewer allergens circulating in the air.
- Enhanced airflow,
- Fewer furnace repairs or breakdowns.
In Need of a Furnace Tune-Up? Contact the Professionals at G & R Heating and Air!
Don’t let a dirty air filter stop your furnace from doing its job. Call the team at G&R Heating and Air to schedule furnace maintenance today! Our experts offer comprehensive tune-ups that keep your heating system running in top condition. We’ll inspect, clean, and service your system, performing key tasks like air filter replacement to help your furnace perform at its best.
Call us to learn more, or schedule your appointment in Gilberts and surrounding areas today!
