Furnace Filter Location — Where is It?

furnace filter location

⭐ Furnace Filter Location—Where is It?

Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is one of the largest appliances in your home.

Because most furnace filters are between 1” and 5” thick, you may wonder how to locate this small part of such a large appliance. You must regularly change the air filters to keep your system in good shape.

This typically means replacing the filter every 90 days. However, homes with pets or allergy sufferers in residence should change out filters on a monthly maintenance schedule.

✅ Where is My Furnace Filter Located? 

Located in the blower compartment, filters are found in built-in racks so you can easily slide them in and out.

If the furnace filter is on the unit itself, you will find it near the air handler. Begin by determining what type of heating or cooling system unit you have.

Is the furnace filter the same as the AC filter? Yes, it is.

They both share the same air handler. You can usually find your HVAC system in the same area of your home as your water heater.

🧰 Vertical HVAC Unit

Vertical HVAC Unit Furnace Filter
Horizontal HVAC Unit Furnace Filter

Air can either flow upward or downward in a vertical (or upright) unit.

If your HVAC unit has air moving upwards through the air handler, its blower is in the bottom door.

This is where you will find the furnace filter.

The filter will remove dust mites and everything else, depending on the type of filter and improve indoor air quality before it’s sent back into your home through the supply vents.

If your air flows downward through the air handler of your AC unit or furnace, you will find the air filter in the upper blower compartment.

In many cases, a downflow vertical heating system will be in a V shape.

If this is true for your furnace, you’ll need two filters to finish the job.

🧰 Horizontal HVAC unit

horizontal indoor air handler

For horizontal air conditioners, you’ll place your new filter in the door on the side of the furnace and air conditioner.

A horizontal furnace is found more often in an attic than a basement.

This heat source moves air from one side to the other rather than upward or downward.

⭐ Locating Additional Furnace Filters

HVAC Return Vent

Depending on the size and age of your home, you may find an additional filter(s) behind the register or return air grill on the floor or a wall.

Don’t confuse return vents with supply vents.

Supply vents are in each room, and you will feel air blowing out from them.

Return vents take the air from your home and send it through the furnace filter and into the appliance to adjust the temperature before blowing it back out through supply vents.

Once you have located the old furnace filter, take note before removing it from the furnace.

Write down what size air filter it is to make sure you have the right replacement for your brand of furnace.

Also, note which way the arrow printed on the edge of your furnace filter is pointing.

You want to be sure the clean filter goes in the same way.

🧰 Why Is It Important to Change Your Air Filter?

sneezing from a dusty home

Your heating, cooling, and ventilation system plays a critical role in your family’s comfort.

A well-maintained system will maximize your home’s indoor air quality.

A furnace filter will keep dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and other allergens from entering your home’s duct system.

However, after a few weeks of collecting this debris, build-up on the furnace filter will decrease air flow.

No need to ask “where is my furnace filter located?” anymore.

Now you can get on with keeping the air in your home clean and increasing the longevity of your HVAC system.

Finally!

Phyxter Approved Logo on Service Truck

With the variety of systems and air filters available for your heating and cooling system, we can understand that this home maintenance item may not be something you want to handle yourself, at least at first.

Don’t hesitate to contact your local HVAC contractor if this is the case. And if you’re looking for the top experts in heating and cooling, give Phyxter Home Services a call.

If you’re looking for that perfect home filter to improve indoor air quality, check out our next article in the series: Air Filter Guide. MERV Filter Ratings and What They Mean For Homeowners

Related Reading: Homeowners Guide to DIY Furnace Repair: 16 Most Common Problems & Solutions

Russell Jones

Russell, a native Australian and VP of Operations at Phyxter Home Services, is also part-owner of Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electrical Services. When he's not busy with work projects and renovations, Russell enjoys putting his vast knowledge of home improvement to good use by sharing his tips and tricks.

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Phyxter (pronounced Fix-ter) is a national home services brand specializing in Residential HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing solutions.

Phyxter is laser-focused on writing the best articles and guides to empower homeowners to get the best out of their homes.

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