How to Maintain Your AC Filter
Have you looked at your air conditioner filter? As standard practice, you should check it every month and clean or replace it when it looks dirty. Find out what you should know about the different types of AC filters, why they require regular care and step-by-step instructions on how to wash reusable filters properly.
Why Should You Wash or Replace Your AC Filter? 4 Important Reasons
It’s an easy chore to ignore, but cleaning or replacing your AC filter is crucial for a few reasons:
1. Saving Money on Energy Bills and Early Replacement
A new filter lowers extra expenses by cutting your energy bills, preventing damage and minimizing the risk of early replacement for the AC.
2. Use Energy More Efficiently
If you never wash or replace the filter, the dust and debris caught inside it forces the AC to strain even more. A fresh filter preserves airflow, reducing the unit’s workload and helping to manage your energy bills.
3. Better Indoor Air Quality
A new filter is more effective at trapping dust, pollen, pet dander and other pollutants, keeping your indoor air fresher and contamination free. This kind of full spectrum comfort is particularly crucial for people with allergies, asthma or other breathing problems.
4. Extend the System’s Life Span
Regularly maintaining the filter prevents the system from overheating, lowers wear and tear, and can even extend your unit’s life span!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Washing the AC Filter
Before you go grab the filter, it’s important to note first that disposable filters aren’t washable. They should always be thrown away once they become too clogged up with debris. The replacement filter should be the same size and type to ensure compatibility with your AC unit.
Use these instructions every one to three months to continue enjoying all the perks of a clean air filter:
- Prepare: To start, turn off the AC unit to prevent electrical damage. Then, locate your AC filter. It might be in the return air duct, in the air handler cabinet or inside the unit itself.
- Remove the filter: Carefully pull out the filter from its compartment. Look it over for holes or tears. If the filter is visibly damaged, go ahead and change it.
- Vacuum the filter: Get the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clear out any dirt, hair, fibers and other loose debris.
- Wash the filter: Bring the filter outside and rinse it off with a garden hose. For a deeper clean, apply a mild detergent.
- Dry the filter: Leave the filter out to air dry completely before reinstalling it. Before that happens, do not use your air conditioner or you risk allowing more dust particles right back into the system.
Additional Helpful Info About AC Filters and Maintenance
There Are Several Different Kinds of AC Filters
Your filter type impacts indoor air quality, airflow efficiency and whether you can wash or replace it when it becomes worn down or clogged. Here’s a breakdown of some common models:
Disposable filters are usually made of fiberglass with a paper frame. These filters are designed for short-term use and need to be replaced every 30 to 90 days. They are usually inexpensive and easy to install but not as environmentally friendly because they are eventually thrown away.
Reusable filters have stronger frame materials such as aluminum or plastic. These filters can be rinsed out and reused several times, often lasting many years if cared for correctly. They are more environmentally friendly and cost effective over their life span. But on the downside, washing them takes extra time and effort than simply replacing a disposable model.
Electrostatic filters utilize static electricity to trap particles quickly while preserving airflow. These can be both disposable or reusable. Reusable electrostatic filters need regular cleaning to preserve their effectiveness.
HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, are the top filters of all, trapping 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. The bulk of HEPA filters are single use, but they last for up to one year before needing to be replaced. While they deliver high filtration, they are higher priced and aren’t always compatible with all HVAC systems.
Other Elements of an AC Unit to Clean
Besides the filter, additional AC components require regular maintenance for best performance and longevity. Contact an HVAC technician for help servicing the following:
- The fan blades in your AC unit will also gather dust and dirt. An HVAC professional will check the fan as part of their yearly tune-up, wiping down and adjusting the blades as required to restore normal operation.
- The condenser coils found in the part of the unit kept outside get rid of heat absorbed from your home. These coils are subjected to the rain and snow, and can get dirty very easily. Even though you can carefully wash away dirt, leaves and other debris by grabbing a garden hose, leave more in-depth seasonal maintenance to a professional.
- The evaporator coils inside the air handler remove heat from the air. Over time, these coils gather a lot of dust, which restricts heat transfer efficiency. HVAC Experts apply a commercial-grade cleaning solution to eliminate dust and grime.
- The condensate drain lines in your AC system can get clogged up with algae, mold and debris. When drainage slows or stops, contact a qualified contractor to clean the drain line using a commercial cleaner or algaecide treatment.
Receive AC Maintenance Help
Routinely servicing your AC filter and other important elements of your air conditioner fosters optimal performance and healthy indoor air quality. Olympic Aire is ready to help. Our certified technicians offer fast, long-lasting solutions to all your HVAC headaches. To schedule your next AC maintenance appointment, please contact us today.
