Here at Woodhouse Environmental we frequently get asked if cleaning or replacing the air filters in your air conditioning unit is absolutely necessary. The short answer… YES!
We believe the frequency with which you change them will however depend on the following factors:
How many people live in your home? The more people live in your home, the more often you have to change the air filters. Especially if anyone smokes or suffers from asthma.
Do you have any pets? If you have pets, you’re familiar with the amount of hair they shed on a daily basis.
Air quality inside your home: If anyone in your home smokes, the air quality is affected significantly, so change the filters at least once a month. IAQ (indoor air quality) is also affected if you live in a city with lots of pollution.
The time of year: The weather can also affect when you should change your filters, due to high pollen or dust levels at certain times of the year. It is important to bear in mind the quality of your filter as the lower the quality, the more frequently it would need to be changed /checked.
Our top 5 benefits to cleaning your AC air filters regularly:
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
Imagine trying to drink water through a clogged straw. That’s a lot like how your air conditioning unit feels when it’s trying to draw air through a clogged filter. By switching out your air filter on a regular basis, you make it easier for your system to pull air in and keep things cool.
LOWER COST
Changing your air filters regularly produces a more effective AC system, which in turn cuts down on the costs you pay to keep the system running.
BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES
A dirty air filter pushes out air contaminated with dust, mould, mildew and dander, all of which can inflame current health issues such as asthma and sinus infections. When you change or clean your filter, you remove all this debris, creating a cleaner, healthier home for you and your loved ones.
A CLEANER HOME
A dirty air filter allows dust to enter your home and settle on your furniture. Luckily, changing the filter often can prevent this from happening, so you can keep your home clean and dust-free.
FEWER REPAIRS
When you maintain your system with fresh air filters on a regular basis, you save yourself money on repair costs and expenditures. When your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home at the temperature you desire, the fewer repairs needed on your system translate into your system running better for the long term.
So, what’s next? How do I change my air conditioning filters?
The good news is that swapping out your air conditioner filter is a simple task — if you know what you’re doing. There are always small maintenance tasks that homeowners can do themselves – helping you save money while also avoiding unnecessary repairs.
Follow our step-by-step guild on how to clean your own filters.
Step 1:
Turn the air conditioning unit off and open the air conditioner to locate the air filters before carefully removing them.
Step 2:
When removing your filters inspect them for any signs of damage. If there are any tears or snags, replace them as they are no longer suitable for the job.
Step 3:
Using a vacuum cleaner clean the filters to remove any dirt, dust and grime. Spend time doing this so that you get the best results but be careful, as you do not want to damage the filter, resulting in a replacement being required.
Step 4:
Using a basin filled with water and washing up liquid, soak the filters so that they are fully submerged. The liquid will remove any bacteria and dirt in those hard-to-reach areas.
Step 5:
After allowing the filters to soak, remove and ensure that all the water has drained off. Do not rinse them as this will reverse the work done through sanitising them.
Step 7:
The filters will need to dry naturally so leave them in a place that is warm.
Step 8:
Now put the filters back in place and ensure that the air conditioning unit is closed.
For more information call us today on 01489 797800
