How to Clean Your Air Conditioner the Easy Way

Does it seem like your air conditioner unit isn’t working as well as it did last year? Maybe you’re stunned by a big jump in the cost of your electric bill? Don’t spend your summer suffering in front of the oscillating fan – you may be able to fix your AC unit’s efficiency issues with a bit of maintenance, and AppliancePartsPros.com is here to show you how!

In this guide, we’re walking you through the how and why of cleaning your AC unit’s air filter. Whether you’ve got central cooling or a window unit, we’ll show you how it’s done. Keep reading!

Need a new air filter for your air conditioner? Search below using your specific model number to identify the exact part needed:

Why Clean My AC Unit’s Air Filter?

Wondering why it’s even necessary to clean or change out your air conditioner’s filter regularly? Consider the following when it comes to regular air conditioner maintenance:

• A clean filter means cleaner air. When air conditioner filters get saturated with dust, some of that dust and debris naturally gets blown back into the air. In some instances, it can get so bad that it causes allergy symptoms like coughing. However, regular cleanings can improve air quality.
• It could lower your electric bill. A new or freshly cleaned air conditioner filter can potentially improve your AC unit’s efficiency by five to 15%. That boost can absolutely show up on your next electrical bill, and with the cost of electricity climbing sky high, those can be some significant savings.
• Your home will cool off faster. Increased efficiency means faster cooling, providing your home is well insulated. Learning how to clean your filters regularly can get you cool faster and keep you cool!
• Keeping your AC unit’s filter clean extends the life of the appliance. A dirty filter decreases airflow and increases heat build up within the appliance, meaning it has to work harder to cool things off. The end result is that the components inside your HVAC system deal with increased wear and tear.

As you can see, keeping your AC unit’s filter clean is good for your home, your wallet, and your body. So, how often should you be cleaning or replacing your air filter?

How Often Should I Clean My Air Conditioner’s Filter?

Maintenance is important! If your HVAC system has a disposable air conditioner filter, you should be replacing filters regularly – at least once every three months while it’s in use. That is, if you go the whole winter without turning on your air conditioner, you can skip that stretch of months, but be sure to check it just before AC season starts to make sure you’ve got a clean filter in place when you need it.

If you have a reusable air filter, check it every month during the cooling season. If there’s a build-up of dust, hair, and other debris, it’s time for a cleaning. You may need to clean it monthly, particularly if you have pets or a smoker in the house, but you may be able to get away with cleaning it once every three months while using the cooling feature. If your HVAC system is also a heat pump, you should learn how to clean the filter once every three months year-round.

The Quick And Easy Guide To Air Conditioner Filter Cleaning

Not all HVAC systems are built the same, but for the most part, their reusable air conditioner filters are – even if they aren’t cross-compatible. This guide should be helpful for any reusable air conditioner filters.

Now, how long will it take? First, keep in mind that you’ll want your filter to be completely dry before reinstalling it. That alone can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the weather and climate where you live.

If your filter isn’t too bad and you’re just doing a basic cleaning, expect this to take about 35 minutes to an hour from start to finish. If your filter is caked with grime and in need of a soak, tack an extra hour onto that.

Before Opening Up Your AC Unit…

Step one: consult your manual. The HVAC system’s manual, which you can get a copy of online by searching the model number, will tell you how many filters your AC unit has, where they are located on your AC unit, and whether or not they can be cleaned. If the filters are disposable rather than reusable, your job is as simple as buying new filters and recycling or tossing the old ones.

Next up, you need to consider your cleaning tools. AppliancePartsPros.com recommends wearing a face mask to avoid a coughing fit or potentially breathing in harmful bacteria while cleaning the filter. Aside from that, you should have:

• A vacuum or shop vac
• Water and white vinegar should be enough to get your filter clean
• A cleaning basin large enough to accommodate your filter – if your sink is too small but your tub is far too big, there’s likely a plastic storage container out there that your air conditioner filter will fit into just fine.
• Potentially, a garden hose; do not use a pressure washer on your air conditioner filter as it could very easily damage it.
• You may need a screwdriver or nut driver to reach your air conditioner filter, depending on the model of your HVAC unit. Check what kinds of screws are used to hold vents and panels onto the equipment.

Step One: Shut Your AC Unit Off

Turn your air conditioner off. If your HVAC system continues to run without a filter, any loose dust, pet hair, or debris hanging out on the interior of the AC unit will get blown right into your home. You’re going to want to leave the AC unit off until you have reinstalled the filter, so pick a time when it isn’t too hot out to do this.

If you’re changing out the filter on a window or portable AC unit, be sure to completely unplug it as well, for safety.

Step Two: Gain Access To The Filter

If you have consulted your manual before starting, you should know where the air conditioner filter is and how to get to it. Depending on the type of HVAC system you have and its make and model, the location and number of filters you have will vary. Some central air systems have a filter at every vent, for example, while most window AC units have filters right behind their front panel, accessible with a flathead screwdriver.

Step Three: Inspect The Filter

Once you have the air conditioner filter in hand, check it for signs of damage. If you notice any tears in the filter or cracks in its frame, it’s time to replace the part. You may also want to look for signs of mold or mildew growth. While a vinegar and water solution can potentially kill these, if the growth is bad, buying an entirely new filter may more reliably put an end to the problem.

Step Four: Start With A Basic Cleaning For Your Filter

Whether you’re doing a deep clean or just a quick regular cleaning, you’ll want to vacuum the air conditioner filter after you’ve removed it from the HVAC unit.

• Utilizing the hose attachment, run the vacuum in even lines over one side of the filter twice.
• Flip the filter over and repeat with the other side.
• If, after doing this, the filter seems clean, you can go ahead and pop it back into your AC unit and turn the unit on. If the filter still seems grimy, however, further cleaning is needed!

Even if you know right out the gate that your HVAC unit’s filter is going to need a lengthy soak, you should still vacuum up as much as you can first. You can at least get rid of large particles and clumps of hair this way, making the washing and soaking steps a little less of a hassle.

Step Five: Time For A Rinse

If you’ve finished vacuuming your air conditioner filter and it’s still a little dirty, you can rinse it off with clear water to dislodge some more of the dirt. You can do this in your sink, tub, a storage container, or even outside, just make sure that the water you rinse with isn’t highly pressurized.

Do not use a pressure washer or a hose fitting with a high pressure setting on your AC unit’s filter. The screens on the filter are delicate and can potentially tear if too much pressure is applied. If this happens, you’ll need to replace the filter entirely, as it will no longer be effective.

Once you’ve hosed your air conditioner filter off, allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it in the AC unit. Depending on the weather and climate where you live, expect to wait between 20 minutes and an hour.

Step Six: For Stuck On Grime, Soak The Filter

If your air conditioner filter is filthy even after vacuuming or if you notice signs of mold or mildew growth, you should do a soak.

• Fill a basin that fits the filter, like your sink, tub, or a storage container, with a mixture that is 50/50 water and white vinegar. There should be enough in the basin to completely cover the filter.
• Submerge the filter in your vinegar/water mixture and leave it there for one hour.
• Remove the filter and rinse it off, then leave it on a rack to dry completely before reinstalling it in the AC unit.

Wrapping Up

That’s it! Remember to keep a regular cleaning routine for your HVAC system’s filters to enjoy more efficient cooling, better air quality, and a longer life for your appliance. Now that you’ve learned to clean your air conditioner filter and you’re better at beating the heat, why not check out the other ways AppliancePartsPros.com can help you out? Whether you’re looking for more guides to satisfy a cleaning frenzy or need assistance fixing a damaged appliance yourself, we’re happy to help! Our site is chock full of tips and tutorials, and our speedy delivery on replacement parts will get you what you need in just a few days.