Avoid HVAC Heating Repairs, Put Furnace Filter in Correctly

Friday, February 3, 2012

Air filters, although sometimes overlooked, are an important part of your overall HVAC system.  They help keep dirt and debris out of your furnace and most importantly, out of the indoor air you breathe.  A furnace can run efficiently and smoothly when a clean filter is in place to do its job.  Sometimes this furnace filter can get plugged with dirt and debris or even put in backwards causing the heating system to run harder and less efficient.

There are a number of problems that can occur when your furnace filter is put in backwards.  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 an air filter, it will take more energy to do so.  The blower motor in your furnace will have to work harder to satisfy the thermostat setting.  This means higher energy costs for you the homeowner.

In addition to the cost of improper filtering, your home will likely suffer from decreased indoor air quality.  The filter is designed to remove dirt and debris from the air, but only when it is installed in the proper direction.  A filter that is put in backwards will not have the normal collective side exposed to the incoming air supply. 

There are two ways to avoid improper installation.  First, is to ask your HVAC technician to show you how to install your particular furnace filter.  That is what we are here for.  Peterman technicians are always willing to assist a customer with any issue they may have with their heating and cooling equipment.  They can show you the proper way to put the filter in and what filter will work best for your system.

Second, you can look at the filter itself for instructions.  Most filters will have an arrow on them telling which way to insert the air filter.  You will want to place the filter so that the arrow is pointing in the direction of the air flow.  This will ensure that your filter is positioned in the correct direction.

At Peterman Heating & Cooling, Inc., we always strive to keep our customers well informed when it comes to their home comfort system.  We proudly serve Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.  To learn more about our products and services please feel free to navigate around our website to learn more.