Air Conditioner Air Filter Tutorial

Clean air conditioners run more efficiently.

Air conditioner filters require constant maintenance for your air conditioner to work properly. The air conditioner pulls air through the filter and dust accumulates on the filter. Dirty air filters block the flow of air into the air conditioner and uses 5 to 15 percent more energy. Because they block the air flow, dirty air conditioner filters can cause a unit to freeze up, resulting in having to call a professional air conditioner person out the clean the unit. Window unit filters are located on the front and central air unit filters are located next to the inside unit.

Things You'll Need

• Air Conditioner manual
• Tape measure
• Hot soapy water

Instructions

1. Check the manual on your air conditioner to see the kind of filters in your unit. Disposable filters need to be changed every month. Long lasting disposable filters last up to three months and permanent filters can be washed and returned to the unit.

2. Open the door that holds the air filter. Lift the filter out. Hold it up to the light, if you can't see through it because of the dust, it needs changing. Some air conditioners have more than one filter.

3. Measure the filter by the height and the width to find the size you need for a replacement. The first number on a filter is the height and the second number is the width.

4. Vacuum the three-month filter once a month with a small vacuum cleaner brush. This keeps the air flowing and also keeps the filter from breaking down before the three months.

5. Wash the permanent filter with hot, soapy water once a month. Let filter air dry completely before placing it back into the filter frame. If the permanent filter becomes bent or clogged to the point there's no air circulation, it will need replacing.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the filter more often in the middle of the summer or if you live in a dusty place.

• Stock up on filters at the end of summer when they go on sale.

• Spray deodorizer on filter to make your house smell fresh.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Quick Cleaning for Fans and Air Conditioners
• U S Department of Energy: Maintaining Air Conditioner