The direction of airflow in the HVAC system can cause some confusion, and for good reason too! To ensure your furnace filter is put in the correct way, make sure the arrow on the furnace filter is pointing towards the furnace.
What problems can a backward filter cause? The most common thing you will notice is the inefficiency of the filter. It will be harder for the air to flow, which would take a toll on your system. More strain means spiked utility bills.
If the filter is placed in the wrong direction, the finer pores on the other side of the filter will make it difficult for air to pass through the system. When that happens, there will also be a decrease in the cooling performance of the AC.
Installing an air filter backward can damage your furnace or HVAC system, as the airflow will be decreased dramatically. A backwards filter prevents air from flowing into the furnace, which prevents air from flowing out of the furnace.
The direction of airflow in the HVAC system can cause some confusion, and for good reason too! To ensure your furnace filter is put in the correct way, make sure the arrow on the furnace filter is pointing towards the furnace.
Incorrect filter installation or installing the wrong filter can leave your engine open to dirt and debris. When the engine's air intake is not completely covered by a filtering element, extensive damage can occur.
If the fuel filter was installed backwards, it can indeed cause problems. A backward fuel filter may restrict fuel flow to the engine, leading to increased wear on the fuel pump and potential pump failure. To resolve this, you'll need to remove and reinstall the fuel filter correctly.
If installed backwards, the filter drier will become useless. Take care not to overheat the newly installed filter drier when using a torch for brazing a sweat-type drier to the liquid line. The brazed connections must be thoroughly cleaned and fluxed when called for.
What if there is no arrow on the air filter? If there's no arrow on your air filter, just make sure the side with the frame (usually the cardboard or metal side) faces the furnace. The flat side of the filter should face the return air duct.
The answer is here: The furnace filter should be installed with the arrow pointing toward the direction of the airflow of the furnace. In simple words, the direction of flow should be the same as the airflow throughout your unit.
It's vital to get this right; installing the air filter in the wrong direction can restrict airflow, causing strain on your system and reducing efficiency.
Consequences– If the technician makes the mistake of installing the drier in the wrong direction, the drier will not work and serve the purpose for which it has been designed. So, no filtration of contamination and no drying of moisture.
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 a filter, it will take more energy to do so. The blower will be overworked and you will pay more money for your heating.
If an air filter is installed in the wrong direction, air will have to pass through the filter via the less porous side. This will make it more difficult for your air handler to keep air flowing through the filter, which will force your furnace to work harder and consume more energy to make up for the loss of airflow.
Like air conditioner filters, furnace filters have arrows on the rims indicating the direction to install the new mesh, meaning there's a correct and incorrect way to fit them. While residents may believe both filter sides are the same, the material's design has fibers facing one direction, ready to capture allergens.
A wet air filter can cause the engine to choke or run rich.
This leads to a variety of issues for your HVAC system including system inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and ultimately failure. If you haven't been swapping your air filters as frequently as you should, there's no time like the present to start practicing this crucial maintenance step.
As a general rule, it is never a good idea to run your air conditioner or HVAC system without an air filter in place. Any amount of time spent doing so can lead to permanent damage and the possibility of needing expensive repairs.
After replacing the filter, you should wait at least 12 hours before running the system. If the AC is still not blowing cold air, it could signify that you have a refrigerant leak, a damaged condenser, or your entire mechanical system needs maintenance.