If you're looking to improve your home's air quality, reduce energy costs, and maintain your HVAC system, cleaning or replacing your air filter regularly is an essential part of your home maintenance routine. But how often should you change or clean it? And what's the best way to do it? In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to clean and replace your air conditioner filter. To determine how often you should change or clean your air filter, check the filter label or consult your local HVAC technician. Generally, it's recommended to change or clean the air filter every 1 to 3 months.
However, if you're in doubt, call the manufacturer and ask where the air conditioning filter is located and if the system uses more than one. When it comes to cleaning your air conditioner filter, there are two main methods: rinsing and soaking. If the filter is only slightly dirty, place it in the sink or bathtub and rinse it thoroughly with warm running water. If you need a more thorough cleaning, fill the sink with one part of vinegar and one part of warm water, then let the filter soak for an hour. This helps kill harmful bacteria and break down the toughest sticky particles. If the filter is too big to fit inside a sink or bucket, use a garden hose to flush it, letting water run through the filter in the opposite direction to the air flow.
If the vacuum doesn't have a brush, you can soak the filter in a diluted mild detergent (1 teaspoon per liter of warm water) for about an hour. You can also collect large accumulations of dust by taking one end of the vacuum to scrape the surface of the air conditioner filter, giving you more advantage against dirt, dust and dirt. Cleaning or replacing your air conditioner filter regularly has many benefits. It improves air quality in the home by trapping dust, pollen, germs, and other contaminants; provides relief to allergy sufferers; and generally makes it easier to breathe air.
It also helps prevent cold air from becoming trapped in the air conditioning coils, freezing them and causing the air conditioning unit to not work. When it comes to replacing your HVAC filter, there are two main types: pleated filters and fiberglass filters. Pleated filters usually last about five years and are cheaper than disposable filters; they also generate less waste and are more environmentally friendly. Fiberglass filters should be replaced every thirty days. Now that you know how often you should change or clean your air filter, as well as how to do it properly, you can start taking steps towards improving your home's air quality and reducing energy costs. If you still have questions about air quality and its impact on health, don't hesitate to contact your local HVAC technician.
