Before you buy a new furnace filter, it is essential to make sure your HVAC system has a MERV rating limit. This can be done by searching for the existing filter or filters. HVAC filters are usually located in a slot next to the boiler or air controller. However, some HVAC systems have filters inside the return air ducts spread over several rooms of the house.
These are the grilles that draw air inward, instead of expelling it. The air filter in your air conditioning system works to remove particles from the air in your home and to keep the air conditioner and boiler running smoothly. Often, household air filters have a nominal size, which is a rounded figure printed on the filter, and an actual size, which is obtained with a measuring tape. Any pleated HVAC filter can improve your home's indoor air quality by trapping dust, pollen, and other small particles, such as a quieter, more passive vacuum. The lower the MERV number, the less effective the filter is at capturing particles (measured in microns) from the air. An HVAC professional will install a small cabinet next to the boiler or air controller (on the air intake side) to hold the thicker filter.
How often you need to replace a boiler filter will depend on the type you purchased and the air quality in your home. To find out if there is a difference between the filter in your air conditioner and that of your oven, look for the opening in the grill that brings in air; this is your return duct and the oven filter will be somewhere nearby. Understand why filters are so important for your air conditioning system. Because HEPA filters have such tight filtration, they tend to restrict airflow so much that they are not practical for most residential forced air systems. For example, an oven filter that measures 18 x 16 x 1 is 18 inches long, 16 inches wide and 1 inch deep. You should replace the filter every three to 12 months of use, depending on its size.
A dirty filter can stop the air conditioner from cooling, reduce efficiency, or cause it to freeze. To ensure your furnace air filter is compatible with your HVAC system, it is important to check its MERV rating limit and measure its size accurately. This will help you purchase an appropriate filter that will improve indoor air quality while keeping your AC running smoothly.
