Taking the time to clean your air filter isn't the most fun you'll ever have in your life, bit it is an integral part of air con maintenance.
If you want healthy, cost-effective air conditioning provided by your system, it is vital to clean your air conditioning filters. The first thing to realise is that the only time you can have your ducted air conditioning filter cleaned by professional businesses is when it's absolutely necessary. The reason for this is simple: Most ducted air conditioning filters are designed to be self-cleaning, meaning they don't require professional intervention. If any dust or dirt does build-up, it can simply be brushed out or vacuumed. This saves you a lot of money since you won't have to pay for regular cleanings, unless your unit starts showing the below symptoms.
Reduced efficiency due to poor filtration.
Unit overheating (and potential fire hazard).
Lack of cold air circulating through your house.
Many professional ducted air conditioning cleaners cannot inspect your system, which means they can't tell if you need to clean your air conditioner and the air conditioner filter or not. Unless the cleaner actually looks at your filter, they won't be able to provide an accurate quote or know when it requires a full or partial clean. In the end, this could cost you more than expected.
On top of all this, there are some real benefits to taking the time to clean your air filter on your own: You'll save time and money; you'll get exactly what you need without any unnecessary extras; and maybe most importantly, it's a really easy thing to do. Regular cleaning is critical for those suffering from conditions like asthma.In order to be able to clean the filter on your air conditioner, you will have to know where the AC controls are and be familiar with some of the key parts of the machine. These include:
Fan coil.
Return air filter (and other air filters), also known as the return air grill.
Heat exchanger.
The frame.
A typical ducted air conditioning system will have two sets of air conditioner filters (this includes the return air filter): One filter - the return air filter - is located in the unit itself and another at the point where the cold air enters your home. The filter inside your ducted air conditioner sits right near the coils. Depending on the model, it may be easy to remove or a bit more challenging; however, we recommend hiring a professional for this job if you're not confident in your abilities (or lack thereof). This way, you can make sure all dust is removed without damaging anything. The second filter is located behind an access panel—usually near the evaporator coil or inside an enclosed space. You'll need to pull away any insulation or materials that might be covering it and then simply vacuum it out. What if you're unsure of where your return air filter and other air conditioner filters are? The best advice is to call in a professional ducted air conditioning cleaner who will know exactly where the air conditioner filters are located and precisely how to clear your air conditioners. The benefits of hiring a pro far outweigh any potential difficulty. Not only will it save you the time (and possible cost) of damaging your system, but it also means that somebody with experience will be able to inspect all your filters (including the return air filter) and determine whether or not you need to clean your air conditioner at this time.
the outside air conditioner filter is an important part of your system which needs to be kept in good working order (the outside air filter is one of the two filters in your air conditioner - the other is the return air filter, which usually includes your AC unit). Just like with any other component, cleaning it yourself will save you money and time—but only if you know what you're doing. If our professional cleaners are unable to help you out when it comes to cleaning your outside air conditioning filter, there are some things you might try on your own:
You may be able to remove the outside unit cover without too much difficulty.
Once inside, remove any debris, or dust particles found around the coils (including the fan coil).
Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to remove stubborn particles that remain stuck in the crevices of the coils (including the fan coil).
There are other options if you're still not sure what to do. For instance, you could contact a manufacturer warranty service representative who may be able to offer advice on how to clean your particular unit. Be sure to keep in mind that neither method is guaranteed to work since it will depend heavily on your specific type of system and the types of air filters used. If this is something you feel uncomfortable doing or unable to do, then hiring a professional service remains by far your best option for keeping your system in good working order.
Before you can determine when your air conditioning ducts should be cleaned, it's important to understand what they are and exactly how they work. Ducted air conditioning works by sending cooled or heated air through metal pipes throughout your home. This means that after passing through the main unit in your garage (or wherever), the air will gradually spread throughout your entire home via these ducts which help distribute the cool or warm air evenly. There are two basic types of air filters used in ducted systems.
A standard filter that stops dust, fur, and other particles from entering the system itself where it could potentially cause damage. This type of filter is is also known as a return air filter, or a return air grill. The return air filter is generally located inside the main unit at all times unless you take it out to clean it.
An air conditioner's lint filter, which is located near the evaporator coils—in other words, in an enclosed space where you wouldn't typically be able to access the inside of the system. This area is referred to as a "return" or "supply" plenum.
There are many factors that help determine when your ducted air conditioning filters should be cleaned. If you run your unit continuously for 24 hours a day, then you'll need to have both the return air filter and lint filter professionally cleaned by an air conditioning service at least once every 6 months. However, if you only use your system during certain times of year (like summer), the cleaning needs of your return air filter and lint filter will vary depending on how frequently you use the AC.
No matter what type of air conditioner you have, there's a good chance that it has some kind of air filter that needs to be regularly cleaned. This is true even if your system doesn't use ducts for distributing the cool or warm air throughout your home; rather, they may be made up of mesh grids which are typically placed in front of the main unit's fan where they help catch all kinds of the debris and dust particles before they enter the evaporator coils. The frequency with which you clean these air filters depends on how frequently you run your unit—and whether or not you're removing large amounts of dirt, dust, and debris, as well as particles like dust mites, pollen and pet dander. For example:
If your AC runs 24 hours a day, you should have these air filters cleaned by a professional service at least once every 6 months.
If it runs 10 hours or less per day, cleaning your filters once every 3 to 4 months will suffice.
In addition to the number of hours your system is used on a daily basis, you'll also want to clean the evaporator coils in your air conditioner regularly too—especially if they become caked with dirt, dust, and debris. In fact, this is one of the most important things that need to be done regularly in order for your system to run efficiently while maximising energy efficiency and reducing running costs and power consumption.
If you're not sure when your cooling system's air filter was last replaced, it's a good idea to inspect it first to see if it looks dirty. If so, this is a clear sign that you need to replace it as soon as possible. You should also remember that your system's air filter performs the same basic function of an air conditioning filter, only on a much larger scale since it needs to be able to stop debris and dust particles from entering into (and blocking) your evaporator coils and pipes.
Type of filter | Cleaning schedule |
|---|---|
One flat panel air filter located inside the main unit | Once every month when used continuously. |
One or two standard round fibreglass air filters located inside the main unit. | Twice every six months when used continuously. |
One standard round air filter located in the return plenum. | Approximately once per year when not in continuous use. |
If your system contains a pleated panel filter, a second flat panel air filter, and a lint trap, then it's recommended that they be replaced as per the below.
At least one time every 3 months when used continuously
Once per 6 months when not in continuous use. The air conditioner lint trap should also get checked at least twice per year to remove any blockages caused by dirt, dust, and debris which can't be easily cleaned.
Nowadays, most modern-day air conditioning units are designed to be compatible with reusable filters. However, this doesn't mean that you can stick your old air filter back in once you've cleaned, especially if it's still wet or damp with water. If your evaporator coils are located inside of the main unit, then this shouldn't be too much of a problem since they're typically protected from damage by its metal casing. However, if they're placed outside next to your condenser unit or close to the ground where they could easily become damaged due to exposure to harsh weather conditions (such as rain water), or by accidental water exposure, then there's definitely a chance that putting a wet air filter back into place will cause problems. Permanently installed air conditioning systems that have evaporator coils located in the return plenum (typically behind a grill) can also be damaged by wet filters. What's more, if an air conditioner unit contains a refrigerant leak, you'll need to get it repaired by a professional AC fixing service as soon as possible. In such a situation, putting a wet air filter back into place will only make the situation worse.
It's important not to wait until your cooling system's air filter becomes excessively dirty before replacing it. A dirty air filter can lead to:
Reduced indoor comfort levels.
Frequent and expensive fixing requirements.
Maintenance issues.
Shorter equipment lifespan than expected.
In order for your air conditioner to function properly, the heat exchanger needs to work effectively. If it doesn't, it will significant affect your comfort levels. The heat exchanger works by getting clean air to pass through the evaporator coils. This will ensure that they can get sufficiently cold—which in turn allows your system to absorb the heat from the interior of your home. It can then get rid of the heat outdoors before you've even realized it's there. Once this airflow has been reduced, your heating and cooling system won't be able to maintain an indoor climate that will be to your comfort, even if its fan setting and airflow is on high. If you're still unsure about whether or not the quality of air coming into your home could be improved by changing out an old air filter, then consider what typically gets trapped when you use filters that are dirty:
Debris such as dust particles.
Bacteria.
Allergens.
Pet hair.
Pollen.
Mould spores.
All of these can affect your air quality and lead to health problems for your family if they're not filtered out before entering your home. Aside from affecting the air quality, they can affect the airflow from your air conditioner as well. Once you change the filter, don't forget to also check its core requires cleaning or replacement as well. This will make sure that it can continue trapping unwanted contaminants efficiently in the future, and ensure your airflow and air quality are returned to normal.
This is an easy process. First, turn off the unit and remove the air filter cover. Once open, you'll be able to see the air filter inside the return air grille of your air conditioning system. To clean your filter, simply use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to suck up any dirt, dust, or debris that has built up on its surface area. It's best if you wait until most of this material has loosened before removing it from the opening in your air conditioning unit. Next, wipe down all visible areas of the return air grille on your air conditioning system with a damp cloth—making sure that all traces of dust have been removed. When cleaning the return air grill, you can use a cloth that you have dampened with water if you only need a getle wipe down. However, if deep cleaning is necessary, you can use a solution of one part water and one part white vinegar instead. This water and white vinegar solution can also be used on the heat exchanger and AC coils. If you do not have any vinegar handy, you can instead make a solution with water and mild, household detergent. If possible, try to avoid using any harsh chemicals while doing since they may damage some of the materials used to create your cooling system's air conditioning unit. Before closing your air conditioner, you'll need to ensure that all of the dirt, dust, and debris has been removed from the inside of it as well by cleaning its fan blades with a soft dry cloth. This will remove any unnecessary accumulations from each one—which helps increase spin efficiency and overall performance. After this, make sure that your air filter is dry before placing it back into place on your evaporator coil. Finally, close the cover on the return grille and turn your air conditioner back on. You'll be able to enjoy all of its benefits sooner rather than later. If you're still facing troubles with your air conditioner filter, you may have to get in touch with a professional cleaning company. While this will undoubtedly be a more expensive proposition than cleaning the filters yourself, professional businesses will be able to provide thorough cleaning services. additionally, they'll also provide frame fixing helping if your AC frame is damaged, and will be able to help you with any other issues you may have, including with the heat exchanger and fan coil. Furthermore, one problem that a lot of people with air conditioner issues face is that of power consumption. Damaged and poorly maintained ACs tend to consume more power (and have less airflow and poorer air quality), and a professional air conditioner service will be able to help address these issues as well. This can, in turn, help bring down running costs. That said, keep in mind that any additional service, such as frame fixing, energy checks, and general AC fixing and repair services, will likely cost more than what simple air and return air filter cleaning services would set you back by.