Dirty aircon filters can increase your electricity bills due to blockage of dust and dirt making your ac run inefficiently.
How to clean your aicon air filter?
Cleaning the filter of your air conditioner regularly is easy. If you’re unsure how to clean your aircon air filter, here’s how:
- Make sure to turn off and unplug your unit first.
- Check filters for signs of wear and tear. Replace if necessary.
- Carefully wash in warm, soapy water then rinse.
- Allow to dry naturally and completely before returning back.
- Put back the clean and dry filter to the aircon.
What are the signs that you need to clean your AC air filter?
Cleaning your AC air filter is a very important part of your AC maintenance. But if you’re wondering if it’s time to clean it, then here are the signs that you need to clean or change your air conditioner’s air filter:
You don’t remember when was the last time you cleaned it
Seriously, this is the first indication that you need to clean those filters. If you can’t even remember, then you should clean or replace it immediately.
Huge electricity bills
If you received your MERALCO bill and you saw higher than expected, then it is better to clean not just the air filter but the whole AC as well. Although this is not the best indication since you may be running multiple appliances at home, it is a good practice to clean your air filter to start with.
Frequent allergy attacks
Having allergic rhinitis is a nightmare. Personally, this is my go-to indication that the aircon filter needs cleaning, if I am frequently on allergy attack while I’m at our room. Remember, AC filters are the first defense against allergens and contaminants.
Obvious dusts near the vents
If you’re seeing dust in the air vents then there’s a huge chance that your ac filters need cleaning. Another noticeable thing is having a lot of dust on walls and cabinets inside the room.
Now, if you noticed the obvious tears, holes, and unnecessary dents in your ac air filter, then you need to replace those right away. These damaged filters will allow more contaminants to flow into your room that you don’t want.
What happens if you don’t clean the AC filter?
The main role of the air conditioner air filter is to block contaminants, dusts, and other harmful elements inside your room.
Note: This is not professional advice. Always consult with your health professional for signs and symptoms related to your health.
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t clean your air conditioner filter. Beside being easy to do, the disadvantages are not worth it. Here’s what happens if you don’t clean your ac filter:
It becomes inefficient
The air filter near the air vents catches the dust and dirt in the air. As you use it, the filters become clogged with dirt and other elements that makes the whole AC run inefficient – resulting in higher energy consumption.
Health issues
The condensation inside your AC unit produces moisture and when mixed with dirt and dust, it will result in mold buildups. When mold fungi propagate, mold spores are exhaled from the air conditioner and float in the air – you don’t want that.
Inhaling these mold spores can cause allergies and possibly pneumonia.
How often should you clean or change your AC air filter?
Depending on where you live, you should clean your air filter at least once a month. Now if you’re like me who lives in the dry and dusty part of the Philippines, you need to clean it every week. There’s no harm of frequently cleaning the air filter, besides, it is easy to do.
You should also consider the following when cleaning or replacing your air filters:
You AC and filter model
Not every unit is the same. Better read your user’s manual.
Household size
How big is your family? How many are inside the room or home?
Pets
Do you have pets at home? If so, check the filters for pet hair.
Your surroundings
What is your environment like? Do you live near the road where many cars are passing by? Do you have construction going on near your home?
Also, some aircon manufacturers and distributors in the Philippines have indicated the cleaning schedule in the user manual found in the box of your AC unit. Btw, who reads it?