how to clean air conditioner filter central air

Vacuum the Filter Without regular cleanings and maintenance, the air filter in your air conditioning unit becomes less effective. The more clogged the filter, the harder the air conditioner has to work to push air through it. 3 Steps to Better Indoor Air Quality. If you have a central air conditioning unit, the best way to do this is to shut off the breaker that controls the unit itself. "I am an assistant property manager of rental apartments. If the vacuum hose doesn’t remove the buildup, you will need to wash it. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts." Here are a few easy tips to follow when learning how to clean air conditioner filters: Learning how to clean an AC filter can help you save on energy as well as help keep your air conditioner's workload. To clean the unit, you’ll need to vacuum the compressor unit, and replace the inside air filter. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The air conditioner's evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their … Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. While a few units will only need to be cleaned every so often, if you are in a high traffic area, or a location with dust and debris, then you need to clean it on a regular basis. If your unit does go on the fritz, Ambient Edge is … That’s because, over time, the buildup in the filter can severely restrict airflow. A central air conditioner’s condenser unit, typically located outdoors, is a … Decision Time: Clean or Replace. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), duct cleaning "has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. All Rights Reserved. I wanted to know if it was possible for a unit to be. With the air filters removed and cleaned, we’ll now clean the Heat Exchanger within your air conditioner. This is best to do once the unit has been off for at least 5 hours to avoid any moisture or heat buildup. This article has been viewed 41,751 times. As the system circulates air, it filters the air in your home and extracts excess moisture to help control humidity. When trimming foliage around your condenser unit, also take the time to rake leaves away from its base. ", Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow, https://energy.gov/energysaver/maintaining-your-air-conditioner, https://www.familyhandyman.com/heating-cooling/air-conditioner-repair/clean-your-air-conditioner-condenser-unit/view-all, https://dengarden.com/appliances/central-air-conditioning-units-maintenance-tips, почистить систему центрального кондиционирования воздуха, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. The Cleaning Procedure: First, remove the plastic filter holder/trim panel. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. For instance a wall air conditioner may have different filter needs than a standard HVAC unit. The indoor air conditioner unit has dust filters that need regular cleaning. If there is no switch, you’ll need to manually pull the plug which feeds power to the condenser. Wash the Filter Fill a Spray Bottle With the Solution. When you’re done cleaning the fan and the interior compressor, put everything back together. Clean your AC filter monthly for optimal efficiency. This guide will explain how to clean an air conditioner filter. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When you weigh the energy savings of having a clean filter against the low cost of a new filter, replacing your filter seems like a no-brainer. Carefully remove … Clean the indoor unit dust filters. Air conditioner units consist of condenser (which itself contains the compressor, cooling tubes, and a fan), an evaporator (the large internal unit which cools the air), tubes to drain moisture from the dehumidified air, and a fan to blow the cool air out into the house or apartment. References. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,751 times. Cleaning your air conditioning filter is one of the best ways to keep your ducted air conditioning system running cleanly and efficiently. Keep reading for even more tips on how best to keep your air conditioner free of dirt and debris to keep it running as efficiently as possible. clean or replace your air filter regularly Taking care of the filter is one of the most important things you can do for your air conditioner. This article was co-authored by Victor Belavus. If taking an air filter out to be washed, be sure to let it air dry for about 20-30 minutes before replacing. This article has been viewed 41,751 times. The condenser unit sucks in air through these fins. If not, you will need to replace it when it wears out. This space will maximize the unit’s efficiency by allowing plenty of free-flowing air. If you notice that your AC unit is not working properly or seems to be broken, contact your rental agency. There should be an outdoor shutoff near the condenser unit. Let’s begin by walking through the steps for cleaning your central air conditioner’s filter. If you see any build up or dust, it's time to clean it. The Home Depot offers a subscription service for replacement air filters. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This will help you avoid any mold issues. To learn how to clean the drain, keep reading! The restricted airflow reduces the efficiency of the system and if it becomes blocked it can cause damage to the fan coil unit. Consult your air conditioner’s instruction manual to determine whether cleaning your air conditioner’s filter is an option. Twice a year, you’ll also want to change the replaceable air filters by removing the metal grate that covers them, pulling the old filter out, and putting the new one in. The first thing to do when determining how to clean an AC filter, is to turn your air conditioner off. If the filter is too large to fit in your sink, you can also wash it with a. The return air register, the air handler cabinet and even a window air conditioner unit will all have an air filter that requires replacement or cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems. There are a few things to keep in mind when cleaning air conditioner filters. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. If you live in an apartment or a rental house, the landlord or property owner will likely have annual inspections performed. If you have a Frigidaire central air conditioning system, you'll find the filter compartment on the main air … You may have more than one air filter in the home to service. Sometimes when you pull out the filter, it’s painfully obvious whether it’s time to clean or replace: if caked on dirt and dust are falling off the surface, it’s probably restricting air … Portable air cleaners and HVAC filters can reduce indoor air pollutants, including viruses, that are airborne. U.S. Department of Energy Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. To quickly tell a disposable from a reusable air filter, inspect the material it’s made from. Central furnace or HVAC filters are designed to filter air throughout a home. In some more modern units, the pipe which drains water runs directly into the floor, and does not have a drain. A dirty air conditioner can be a major disrupter to your midsummer chill out. Turn Off the AC Unit A dirty filter will obstruct airflow within the AC system, and will cause the system to function with much less efficiency. Check the dimensions on the air filter – this will tell you what size replacement AC filter you need. How To Clean A Central Air Conditioner Filter. If the filter is not located within the air conditioner unit, look for an access panel on the interior or exterior of your home near the air conditioner location. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. If you’re unsure of the type of filter to use, your Lennox Dealer can recommend one based on your specific system. Check to see if your air conditioner uses subscription-eligible air filters. Air Conditioning Specialist. In this case, you do not need to clean the setup. By using our site, you agree to our. On some portable units, the filter may be on the back, but the door and handle are still obvious. Air conditioning systems trap tiny particles that settle in the filters over time and cause mildew growth when exposed to moisture. If your central air filter shows no signs of grime buildup, you can use the hose attachment from your. Over the course of time, these will become dirty with bits of leaves, grass, and dust. Before you begin cleaning, shut off power to the unit. The most important maintenance task that will improve the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean the air filters. Easy DIY instructions on how to keep your Ducted air conditioning filter clean. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? ". Aprilaire Healthy Home 213 MERV 13. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. ", Step 3: Some units will have multiples vents, so make sure you inspect inside the unit to be sure you removed all filters. ", Step 4: What's more, cleaning your air ducts the "wrong way" can make things worse, not better. Make a note on your calendar to change the filter again according to the manufacturer’s specifications. That can mean higher running costs. Dirty air filters often require more energy to run, leading to increased electricity bills. When you replace an AC filter, read the packaging carefully to see how long the manufacturer guarantees its effectiveness. Leaving it on while removing and cleaning the filter can cause unfiltered air to circulate through your home. Rest assured that you can hose your air conditioner down as one of many methods to clean it off. To clean a central air conditioner, you’ll need to vacuum the compressor unit and replace the inside air filter. Rinse it off with fresh water and let it fully dry before returning it to your AC unit. Victor Belavus. Tip: Be sure you can clean your filter. From: CR’s take: The 4-inch-thick … If you have a central air conditioning: Shut off your AC system. Before you begin disassembling any portion of the condenser, it’s crucial that you disable the power supply. At this point, you can also turn the power supply back on. Then, we’ll look at window and ducted units. Most central air systems use 1-inch, medium-efficiency MERV filters, such as the Nordic Pure MERV 12. Call a AC professional cleaner—or your landlord—if you notice water pooling around the base of the evaporator unit, or see water-damaged flooring nearby. To check for signs of damage, turn your unit off and remove the central AC filter while wearing your rubber gloves. Open the Air Conditioner. ", Step 5: % of people told us that this article helped them. This is an easy job that could potentially save you thousands. Keep in mind that these steps only apply if your air conditioner’s filter is reusable. In a split-system central air conditioner, there is an indoor unit, typically a furnace and evaporator coil or fan coil, and an outdoor unit, often referred to as the air conditioning unit. Last Updated: July 7, 2020 In terms of maintenance, you need to clean washable filters once every month, neglecting this can cause restriction of airflow as dirt keeps building up within the filter. If your air filter shows signs of damage, like tears, holes or excessive grime, it’s time to replace. This site was very helpful. How do you clean a central air conditioner filter? Some are meant to be cleaned while some air conditioner filters should be replaced each time. Determine if you can clean your filter. 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