Cleaning your air conditioner filter is an important part of regular maintenance that can help keep your system running smoothly and prevent costly breakdowns. To ensure optimal performance, you should plan to clean your home air filters approximately once a month and replace them approximately every six months. Before you begin, make sure to turn off the HVAC unit to prevent unfiltered air from circulating around the house while you clean. To start, remove the filter from the unit and inspect it for any damage or debris.
If the filter is reusable, you can use a medium temperature vacuum to remove all dust and other particles from the filter. For a more thorough cleaning, fill a sink with one part water and one part white vinegar and then allow the HVAC filter to absorb the solution for one hour. After that, rinse off the filter with cold water and allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it in the unit. If the central air conditioner filter is not cleaned regularly, it can build up dust, grime, bacteria, mold and mildew.
This build-up can eventually start to interfere with the unit's efficiency, increase utility bills, and even compromise your home's air quality. When it comes to larger units inside your home, you can wait up to a year before having to clean the air filter. However, during the summer months when air conditioners are most used, you should do a more rigorous cleaning several times throughout the season. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning.
Be sure to consult the manufacturer's instructions to determine the best way to clean the air conditioner or boiler filter.
