How to clean air conditioner filter wall unit
AC is a necessary part of modern lifestyle that offers cooling in hot days. But maintaining your air conditioner regularly is a must if you want to keep your air conditioner working effectively and with good air quality. Perhaps the most important part of this care is vacuuming the air conditioner filter of a wall unit. In this essay, I will walk you through cleaning an air conditioner filter wall unit using both tips from the pros as well as experience and insights to make sure that you see why it is so vital.
Introduction
A C can be found in every home and office, especially in hot places. They extract hot air, cool it, and then circulate it again into the room. This is done by the air conditioner’s filter that collects dust, dirt, and other airborne particles so that the air you are breathing is pure. Over time, though, these filters clog up and lower the overall efficiency of the unit, which can be dangerous for your health. Clearing the filter once a month is an easy and affordable way to keep your air conditioner running efficiently and saving you money.
Reasons Why Air Conditioner Filter Cleaning Is Very Important?
However, before we get into cleaning the filter you need to know why you have to do this. There are some bad effects of a clogged or dirty filter:
Low Efficiency: If the filter is blocked, airflow will be restricted and the AC will have to work harder to cool the room. This not only consumes more energy, but also strains the unit which can cost you thousands of dollars and possibly even lead to premature failure.
Stale Air: Dust, pollen, and other allergens get caught in the filter first and foremost. Filter that are dirty, the dust will get back into the room and create a bad indoor air quality. That can be especially bad for allergy sufferers or sufferers of asthma.
Bigger Energy Bills: Like I mentioned above if the filter is clogged then the air conditioner runs longer and that means more energy usage. That can increase the power bill, especially in summer when you use the air conditioner a lot.
Unpleasant smell: Dirt and other debris trapped in the filter will decompose over time causing foul-smelling smells. They leave behind unpleasant smells in the room.
Threat of Mold Development: There are times when a dirty filter will be a home for mold and bacteria. This isn’t just a problem for air quality but also health issues.
In the face of these issues, you can see why filtering the air conditioner is more than a simple repair; it is health, comfort, and economics.
Detailed Instructions to Clean an Air Conditioner Filter Wall Unit.
We know why we need to clean the air conditioner filter now lets get into the steps to doing it. This is a personal, expert and tips & tricks guide I created myself over the years.
1: Disconnect the Air Conditioner.
Having the air conditioner turned off and unplugged from the power source is important before beginning. It is for safety, so that you don’t have any mishaps or electric shocks. If you have a hardwired wall unit, turn off the circuit breaker to turn the unit off.
Expert Tip: Don’t clean without waiting several minutes after switching off the unit. This allows the internal parts to defrost so as not to burn or otherwise be damaged.
Step 2: Locate the Filter
You need to find the filter then. When you buy most wall-mounted air conditioners, the filter is behind the panel. The front panel is usually sewed into place by clips or screws. Uninstall the panel slowly to open the filter.
Local Knowledge: From what I’ve seen the filter is usually found behind the front grille. But it could be anywhere, depending on the brand of your air conditioner. If you’re not sure, read the user manual that came with your unit.
Step 3: Remove the Filter
After you find the filter, gently unplug it from the machine. Almost all filters are easily uninstallable but some may require you to pop a latch or remove screws. Avoid harming the filter or its surrounding parts.
Expert Tip: If the filter gets really dirty, wear gloves and a mask to shield yourself from dust and allergens.
Step 4: Inspect the Filter
Clean it once and make sure you check the filter. Consider if it has any wear or tears, holes, etc. The filter if broken will need replacing rather than cleaning. Also, if the filter is extremely clogged or have been used for long it is probably worth it to get replaced.
A Personal View: I think always having an extra filter on hand is always a good idea. This way if you find that the filter is dirty or broken, you can replace it as soon as possible without waiting for a new one to come in.
Step 5: Clean the Filter
If the filter is in perfect condition and just requires cleaning, you can go through the steps below:
Vacuum the Filter: Use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to vacuum loose dust and debris from the filter. This is an easy and fast way to remove most of the soil.
: Remove the Filter: After vacuuming, wash the filter with hot water and a gentle cleaner. Scrub the filter lightly with a soft brush or sponge to lift any dirt. Make sure not to over-force this as this can damage the filter.
-Rinse well: After you have scrubbing the filter, flush it with fresh water to get rid of any soap scum. Wash off all the detergent as residue could impede the function of the filter.
Rinse the Filter: Dry the filter fully until it dries and reinstall it. Put a wet filter back in the machine and you will start to have mold and other problems.
Pro Tip: For speed drying if you’re short on time, you can run a hairdryer at a low setting to speed things up. But don’t heat it because that will ruin the filter.
Step 6: Reinstall the Filter
When the filter is completely dry, replace it carefully in the AC. : Make sure it is sitting up and upright. Then re-install the front panel and lock all clips or screws in place.
Hands-On Tip: I’ve discovered that photographing where the filter was before I removed it can be useful if you are new to the unit. So that when you reinstall the filter you can always look at the photo and make sure you’ve put it where it should be.
Step 7: Switch On the Air Conditioner.
The filter has been replaced and now you can start the air conditioner. Plug it in or turn the breaker back on, and then switch on the machine. Let the air conditioner run for a couple minutes to check everything is in order.
Expert Hint: If you clean the filter, the air conditioner should run better. The fan needs to be quieter and the circulation must be better. If you don’t see any change, something else might need to be fixed, a refrigerant leak, a fan.
How Often Do You Need to Replace the Air Conditioner Filter?
Clean your air conditioner filter on a regular basis depending on a number of things such as where the unit is located and how frequently you use it. As a rule of thumb, replace the filter every 2–4 weeks or when you’re using the filter most, like in the summer. You may have to wash the filter more often if you are in a dusty climate or live with animals.
As a Hint: If you know me, I’d always go the extra mile and clean the filter every few weeks. The cleaner the filter, the better the air conditioner will work and the cleaner the air is to be breathed.