Installing an air filter the wrong way can have serious repercussions for your HVAC system. Not only will it cause your air handler to work harder, leading to higher energy bills, but it can also damage the boiler or air conditioner. Furthermore, you may experience a decrease in indoor air quality due to inadequate filtration. The filter is designed to capture a large amount of unwanted debris, but only when installed in the correct direction. If you place the filter upside down, the normally cohesive end of the device will not be facing the air supply.
This means that the filter will not be able to effectively remove particles from the air. The most common issue you'll have if you have an improperly installed filter is decreased efficiency. Since the filter is designed to be efficient when installed in one direction only, improper installation will make the system inefficient. This means that your oven will have to work harder to deliver the results you want, resulting in higher utility bills and possibly damage to your oven. At first you won't feel the effects of this, but this inefficiency can build up and cause the furnace system to break down and require more repairs. Additionally, dust accumulates much faster than if the filter had been installed in the correct orientation (first on the side with larger holes).
This can lead to mold problems and poor indoor air quality. If there is no instruction sheet, the filter itself would have arrow indicators to indicate the direction of air flow. When there is a decrease in air flow and with short cycles in the air conditioning system, dust, pollen, and dander particles can increase in indoor air. It is important to note that oven filters are your first line of defense against this potential danger to your family's health. The arrow indicates the direction of the air flow, so the arrow on the side of the filter should point in the right direction. This makes sense because you want the air to be filtered before it reaches the actual furnace equipment and covers it with dust. When the technician arrives at your house, you can watch how they install the filter so that you can do it yourself next time.
However, if you're not careful, an air filter placed upside down can cause a number of problems in your heating and cooling system.
