Quick Tip: Which way does the airflow arrow point on my filter?

The airflow arrow is sometimes the most confusing part about installing an air filter.

The easiest way to think about it is that the arrow is supposed to flow in the same direction as the arrow.

For example, if you have a ceiling return or a wall return, the arrow should point towards the unit (or away from you as you install the filter).

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[cbikle]

Y'know, since you went to this much effort, why not actually showing the INSTALLATION of the filter and make it CLEAR which side the arrow is pointing to (in this case, away from you, right ?).

[ChillRichard]

Why can’t everyone just make a simple video like this one?

Straight to the point!!

[TheJillybean]

Oh, thank you! I kept reading things that just said to point it the way the air was flowing. Well, duh, I can't feel enough air flowing to know what that is. Your tip about pointing it TOWARDS the unit (I have a ceiling filter), actually made sense and gave a clear answer. Thumbing you up now.

[dccowboys]

Finally a simple answer. I have a wall filter and just needed to know if it faced inside or outside. Not up or down or anything else. Very helpful. Thumbs up

[teresaphillips]

When you get in your 60's, you start overthinking everything and doubting everything you have ever done. Thanks for this video. A really quick answer to reassure me that I've been doing it the right way.

[MrGlendale]

After watching at least 5 videos on replacing these damn filters. I have learned the arrow should point away from you. I have a ceiling intake. The air is sucked in thru the grill, which can be seen by holding a plastic bag at that closed grill. The air sucks the bag to the closed grill. So remove your old filter. Take that new one with arrows pointed up away from you. It should fit secure if you bought the correct size. Close the grill, and your good to go.

[nencinevarez]

Awsome, thank U... I saw 3 videos prior to yours & they were so long and lame & I was still confused.  My return is in hallway on ceiling.  So aero's point up toward the unit. Thanks for keeping it simple.  Also my house in only 10 yrs old & the hallway is very clean.  Is it neccesary to get the 800 filter or will a 300 count be ok ?

[twiztidguy]

Figured it out for those who have the same problem I had.  Please call me out on this if I'm wrong.  But logically this sounds right.  My issue is my filter seems to go INSIDE the furnace.  It isn't on the dang wall.  So what I didn't think about is the cold air when my AC is on blows up from the floor.  However nothing comes out of the top vents.  So these top vents are air returns.  If you take a bag while your heat / AC is running and put it towards the vent if it sucks the bag inward it's definitely the air return vent.  That is the direction the air is flowing.  So mine was on the ceiling.  so the air is flowing downward through my furnace and the cooled air is coming out on the floor.  The arrow on my furnace filter needs to face down.

[mavenfeliciano]

*SKIP THE VIDEO AND READ THE COMMENTS!*
It seems to me the comments section did a better job clarifying this.

[KimPBarnard]

Based on what I’ve seen in other videos demonstrating the actual install, be sure to place the filters so that the arrows are pointing AWAY from you.

[victorortega]

Towards the unit ? I thought it be facing towars the house ? Isnt that the wat the air is flowing out of the vent and into the house ?

[rzuniga]

Thanks so much! I had to watch three videos before I saw yours. 🤦‍♀️You explained it perfectly.

[Justin_Case]

Why is the filter concave on the opposite side?
The wall grill pushes into the flat part. It makes more sense to install it where the wall grill fits easily

[etchosts]

@kevin snow same rule applies towards the unit as it sucks in air...

[westchesterny]

toward the unit?   does that mean the arrow points toward the wall?

[ndahv]

Flanders NaturalAire cut to fit model #40655 does not have arrows showing the airflow and the packaged does not say which side please help!

[karenpacheco]

Im confused we have a floor air flow thing that sucks in the air and my husband says the arrows point towards the vent facing in but it seems like the filter is almost being sucked in to the point it may rip away. It has some paper cut outs on one side n i think it should go facing down. Whats the proper way?

[lakevin]

I have a Flanders filter.  What if the filter is placed at the bottom of the unit?  Does the arrow point up or down?

[TheWinonaJohnson]

I appreciated the quick tip. Answered my question in seconds. Verified that I replaced the air filter correctly.

[hollydolly]

I put mine facing the unit and it's sucking it up every time it comes on...