Looking to learn how to clean ducted air conditioner filters? Cleaning your air conditioning filter is one of the best ways to keep your ducted air conditioning system running cleanly and efficiently. As your system runs, it draws air from common areas which are full of things like dust, dirt, pet hair and other tiny particles. Over time, these tiny particles build up into a not-so-tiny mess on your return air filter.
How to clean ducted air conditioner filter:
- Disconnect the fixing holding the hinged return air grille to the frame. This will be a screw or sliding clip found to one side of the grille face.
- Make sure you support the grille face while undoing the screw/clips, otherwise it will freely swing downwards.
- Slide out the filter from the frame.
- Vacuum as much of the lint and dust off as possible.
- Wash the entire filter medium in warm water.
- Place the filter in a sunny area and wait for it to dry completely.
- Slide the filter back into its frame and resecure the grille by fixing the screw or clips.
Why should you clean your ducted air conditioner filters?
1. Increases air quality throughout your home
A clean filter is better able to stop dust and other tiny particles from being recirculated throughout your home. Keeping the filter clean is the best way to ensure that less dust and allergens make their way into the air that your family breathes.
2. Reduces power consumption
Left unchecked, your return air filters will continue to get clogged with dust and detritus, restricting the airflow to the indoor AC unit. If your air conditioner has to work harder to pull air through the filter, it will consume more power.
3. Air conditioner longevity
A build-up of particles inside of your air conditioning unit can potentially damage the fan coil and will require a deeper cleaning than simply vacuuming the return air filter medium periodically.
How often should you clean your air conditioning filters?
How often you need to clean your air conditioning filters will depend largely on how often it is used. When the air conditioning is off, it’s not going to be drawing air through the filters, therefore a build-up will take much longer. The usual rule of thumb is to clean the filters for a residential system once every two months, although this may vary with different usage throughout the seasons, i.e. less in winter and more often in summer.
A professional inspection and clean
Cleaning your ducted air conditioning filters regularly is a great way to increase the lifespan of your indoor unit, keep your household air cleaner and reduce running costs. It is also important to organise a regular service of your ducted air conditioning unit by a professional. By organising an annual service with Smarter Air, one of our experienced technicians will inspect and clean the parts of your ducted air conditioning system that you aren’t able to see, as well as look for any potential issues with your air conditioning before they turn into costly problems.
For when learning how to clean your ducted air conditioner filter isn’t enough, join Smarter Air’s annual maintenance program for a hassle-free expert inspection and clean to look after your air conditioning.
