Can an HVAC Filter be Put in Backwards?

If you install an air filter upside down, the normally collective end of the device will not face the air supply. This means that the filter will not be able to do its job properly and will not be able to clean the air as it should. The biggest damage that can result from a filter installed incorrectly is that it can damage your HVAC system and reduce its lifespan. An AC filter installed upside down will greatly slow down airflow, making it more difficult for your oven to operate.

When efficiency decreases, the likelihood of a system failure, such as a refrigerant line leak or a failed compressor, increases. The normally collective end of the equipment will not face the air supply if you install the filter backwards. The oven filter helps you get cleaner air by preventing particles from entering. With the use of overtime, these particles accumulate and block the filter.

This is when clean air starts to be replaced by bad air, as it doesn't filter properly. This is harmful to the lungs. Constantly placing an air filter upside down can damage the oven. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that pollutants in the home come from both inside and outside. They include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold, pollen, secondhand smoke and particles from construction materials.

A filter's fibers are designed to work efficiently in only one direction, allowing air to pass smoothly without interference. When an oven filter is placed upside down, the fibers cannot do their job properly. This means that your oven has to work harder to generate the same airflow, resulting in increased energy costs. Particles are also allowed to accumulate unevenly, causing the oven to work even harder to extract air. So what happens if the air filter is improperly installed? Air filters are built to be installed in a certain direction. Installing the air filter backwards can restrict airflow through the air cleaner, cause the filter structure to fail, and allow dust, dirt, and other debris to pass through the filter and accumulate on the evaporator coil. If the evaporator coil becomes dirty, the system will not operate at optimal efficiency and could clog the condensate discharge line and cause the system to fail.

The most common problem you will have if you have an improperly installed filter is decreased efficiency. Since the filter is designed to be efficient when installed in one way only, installing it incorrectly will make your system inefficient. One side of the filter is more porous to allow more air to flow freely. Therefore, when installing a filter backwards it would mean that your oven has to work harder to get the results you want. This will result in higher utility bills and may cause damage to your oven.

You won't feel the effects of this at first, but this inefficiency can build up and lead to furnace system breakage and further repairs. The filter prevents these contaminants from damaging the oven by collecting dust and debris before they reach critical HVAC components. For more tips on how to properly install your oven filter, contact your local HVAC specialist at Donald P. In addition to looking at the directional arrows, all air filters are built in a certain way based on the type of filter it is and how long it is designed to last. Check the filters every month and replace them when you can no longer see light coming through them. This is because AC filters are designed in a way that allows for even distribution of dust within the filter material rather than just on its surface. Even with proper air filter maintenance, you should have your HVAC system cleaned and serviced at least once a year. Also, if you look at where the filter is located, air comes from one side of the duct where there is no HVAC component.

Therefore, be sure to look for arrows that are printed on sides of filters as they show you in which direction filters are supposed to be installed. Under exhaust pressure of blower fan, these filter structures will eventually fail over time causing cardboard filter frame to bend or even bend in return box. By installing filter upside down, air will have more difficulty flowing through it and your air handler will have to work harder to compensate for loss of airflow. Air filters have direction arrows indicating which direction they should be installed on return. Both sides may look same but manufacturers make filters so that air goes in one direction efficiently. Air passes through air filter trapping dust, dirt and other airborne contaminants. Having an inverted HVAC Filter can cause system damage, mold problems, poor indoor air quality and other problems. Find an HVAC repair near me and consider repairing and installing oven filter.

Nina Siegwarth
Nina Siegwarth

Certified foodaholic. Incurable web specialist. Incurable web advocate. Friendly internet specialist. Evil music aficionado.

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