How To Clean A Air Conditioner Filter
How to Make clean Your Air Conditioner'south Filter for Better Health
Study up and so you can go on cool without catching a cold.
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The average American spends a whopping 90% of the day indoors, co-ordinate to estimates from the U.Due south. Ecology Protection Bureau (EPA). While that might be better to reduce sun-related peel harm, information technology's less than ideal for our lungs and overall well-being. Not only is outdoor air a boon for mental health, but it's besides much cleaner. The EPA reports that pollen, brute allergens, mold spores, ozone, pesticides and other contaminants can swirl around within, making some indoor pollutants two to v times higher indoors than outdoors.
Unfortunately, it's not always possible to go along your windows open for a breath of fresh air. Whether it's due to seasonal allergies (keeping windows closed is 1 of the biggest pro tips if you suffer from seasonal sniffles) or because of a steamy heat wave, most homes in the U.S. turn to—and turn on—their air conditioners a good portion of the year.
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Simply how often do you think of cleaning your air conditioner, in particular, its filter? Much like the dishwasher filter, nosotros admit to oftentimes overlooking this characteristic that drastically impacts the Ac's efficiency (hi, sky-high electricity bill!) and our indoor air quality.
Read on for the dirty details well-nigh your air filter, plus how to keep information technology squeaky-make clean then y'all can preclude potential colds or breathing difficulties.
What Does an Air Filter Do, Exactly?
An air conditioner filter is designed to collect dust and debris that's in your abode'due south atmosphere. It tin can withstand some aggregating over time, but once the filter is total of gunk, the impurities accept nowhere else to go merely back into the air. If your air filter is overloaded, you might notice more grit or clay on normally-clean surfaces—even soon afterwards dusting or mopping. You or your roommates may notice an increase in allergy or asthma symptoms or even potentially colds due to more than mold, pollen or other pollutants circulating around the dwelling house.
How to Clean an Air Conditioner Filter
Whether you accept a whole-abode HVAC system or a window unit (encounter this TikTok cleaning hack for a how-to guide for the latter!), it likely has a filter.
Aim to clean your filter every one to three months; you'll probably demand to practice so more than if yous don't ain a separate air purifier or practice take pets in your home.
As with any appliance cleaning job, review the manufacturer instructions to confirm the all-time air filter technique. Some units should be replaced completely rather than cleaned, so check the product manual or website for these details.
If you have an air conditioner filter that's created to be cleaned and reused, follow these steps:
ane. Turn it off.
Before opening your air conditioner, flip the motorcar "off." Then carefully open the unit, remove the filter and inspect information technology for build-upward. (Note that some units have multiple filters; if then, check them all.) If you notice any backlog debris or dust, proceed. Otherwise, slip information technology back in, put the unit back together and set a reminder to bank check once more in one month.
Tip: If your air filter displays any singled-out signs of damage, such as holes, tears or gunk that won't budge, it's fourth dimension to supercede it with a new air filter.
2. Suck it up.
Using the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner (we honey this Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional person Upright Vacuum; buy it: $127.46, Amazon) or a handheld vacuum (like VacLife Handheld Vacuum; buy it: $fifty, Amazon), gently brush over the air filter to suck up as much dust and grime as possible. While your vacuum is handy, requite any air vents a grit-up. A tool like Swiffer Dusters Heavy-Duty Extendable Handle Dusting Kit (buy it: $seven.99 for 4, Target) tin can aid if the vacuum hose doesn't achieve.
If it's at present looking clean, sideslip the filter back in, replace the embrace and set a reminder to check again in one month. If not, move on to the final footstep.
3. Wash information technology out.
For a super deep make clean—as long as your manual says it'due south okay—soak the filter for one hr in a sink filled fifty:50 with water and white vinegar. Rinse the air filter with fresh water, allow information technology to dry completely, which should take about 30 minutes; this will assist prevent whatsoever mold bug. Replace the filter and cover, have note of the cleaning appointment, and so set up a reminder to clean or alter the filter accordingly based on the manufacturer'southward specifications.
Source: https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7909305/how-to-clean-your-air-conditioners-filter-for-better-health/
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