Tips,for,Keeping,Your,Air,Cond DIY Tips for Keeping Your Air Conditioner Filter Clean
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We are officially in the dog days ofsummer. It is almost too hot to even go outside anymore! Thesehigher temperatures mean your air conditioner is running longer andharder throughout the day. With all that extra work, your filter isgoing to get clogged faster than normal. Proper filter maintenance is crucial toyour unit! Filters are designed to pull particles out of the airwhile letting the air pass through easily. As the filter fills up,the space for air to pass through is reduced, making your airconditioner work harder to suck air through the filter. This extrawork will reduce its lifecycle and it is much more wallet friendly tochange an air filter once a month (more in summer and winter monthswhen your unit runs almost constantly) than it is to replace yourentire air conditioner! Changing your filter regularly is alsogood for your health. The filter pulls dust, pet hair, smoke andother irritants out of the air. These pollutants can aggravate yourallergies or asthma if you have them, and, according to The AmericanLung Association, they can even cause cancer! I know it seems likeeverything causes cancer these days, but if something as simple aschanging your A/C filter can help prevent it, why not do it?There are two basic types of filters:reusable and disposable. Disposable filters do cost less thanreusable ones, but the cost difference isnt too great, and youdont have to replace a reusable filter every month. However, youdo have to clean a reusable filter every month. Either way youchoose to go, your air filter needs monthly maintenance. Dont know how to change or wash yourfilter? Here are step by step instructions!Change your filter:Turn off your system.The filter will be located closeto the intake-outtake blower (in most homes its close to yourcontrol box). There may be a door or panel that swings or liftsopen; open it and remove the filter.Before you install your new filterlook around the edge to find an arrow. This arrow tells you thedirection of the filter. Make sure the arrow points to the blowerand is not installed backwards (check the direction of your oldfilter before you take it out or just as you remove it if yourenot sure which way it goes in)Lastly, turn your system back onand make sure its functioning properly.Clean your filter: Again, turn off your system,locate and remove your filter.You will want to clean your filteroutside, if possible. Use a brush to remove caked on debris.Vacuum the filter with your hoseattachment.Wash the filter with runningwater. Using a spray attachment on your water hose works best. Just remember to spray in the opposite direction as the air flows. In other words, spray from back to front (the debris is on the frontof the filter, spraying from back to front will more efficientlyclean your filter).Let your filter air dry completelybefore replacing.Turn your system on and make sureits functioning properly.Your return vent (the vent that housesthe filter) is usually located close to the thermostat. If yourthermostat is on a staircase, the return vent is usually on theslanted ceiling above the stairs. Otherwise, the vent is usuallylocated close to the floor under the thermostat or close to or on theceiling above the thermostat. If you cannot find your return vent orjust need help changing your filter, call your AC contractor.
Tips,for,Keeping,Your,Air,Cond