Installing an AC filter upside down can have serious consequences for your HVAC system. Airflow will be greatly reduced, leading to higher utility bills and increased wear and tear on your oven or air conditioner. The most common problem with an incorrectly installed filter is decreased efficiency, as the filter is designed to be efficient when installed in one way only. When the filter is installed upside down, air has more difficulty flowing through it, and your air handler has to work harder to compensate for the loss of airflow.
This can lead to a decrease in efficiency, resulting in higher utility bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system. The most common issue you'll experience with an improperly installed filter is decreased efficiency. One side of the filter is more porous than the other, allowing more air to flow freely. When the filter is installed backwards, the air will hit the fine-pore side first, before it has a chance to enter the filter.
This means that your oven has to work harder to get the results you want, leading to higher utility bills and potential damage to your oven. The airflow arrows should be printed on the side of the air cleaner to show how to install the filter correctly. Check the filters every month and replace them when you can no longer see light coming through the filter. Keep in mind that the filter only gets dirty when the oven is running, so if you check the filter in a vacation home that you only visit a couple of times a year, for example, replacing the air filter may not be a monthly task. By installing the filter upside down, you risk damaging your HVAC system and reducing its lifespan.
An increase in your utility bill and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system are also possible consequences of an incorrectly installed filter. It's important to understand how to install an AC filter correctly in order to avoid these issues.
