Should I clean
my filter?
Why clean air filters regularly?
The importance of cleaning the air filters in your air conditioner Adelaide can’t be overstated! If your filters are dirty, the air you breathe will be unclean and over time this can lead to problems for your health and increase the likelihood of you having to replace your air conditioning unit.
Air conditioner filters are designed to catch dirt, dust and debris, and they are meant to keep other components of the air conditioner clean. Over a lifetime of regular use, there can be a large buildup of dirt and the filters can become clogged. If the filters are not cleaned regularly, moisture and mould can start to collect, which will filter into the air being pushed around your home. This isn’t good for you and your family or the air conditioning unit.
As we have said before, your air conditioner will work best when cleaned regularly and cared for over the life of the unit. If one part of the unit starts to fail or break down — including the filters — it can stress the entire air conditioning system and result in a complete breakdown. Having regular checks done and ensuring all parts are kept in good condition will mean the unit functions much better over the long term and will last much longer than a unit that has not been sufficiently maintained. A little check done right now will save you so much time and energy in the long run!
How often should I clean my filter(s)?
We recommend cleaning filters at least once every three to six months. The best clean is one that involves vacuuming the exterior of your indoor unit and soaking the filters in hot soapy water, rather than just running them under the tap and returning them to the unit.
Below we have created a simple cleaning guide for you to follow to keep your filters clean and maintain healthy, fresh air inside your house!
How to clean your wall split filter
Before you start make sure you collect the materials you will need — a vaccum cleaner, small basin, screwdriver, a soft nail brush, detergent and an old towel or rag. Then follow these easy steps!
- Open Turn your air conditioner off at the mains power switch. Working carefully, remove the air conditioner components — you may have to use a screwdriver if you find there are fitted screws in the unit.
- Remove the filters Check the filters for signs of wear. If there are any rips, no matter how small, you’re better off replacing the filters as continuing to use them will reduce the efficiency of your unit.
- Sanitize the filters Fill the basin with hot soapy water. Make sure that the basin or sink you use is large enough for the filters to be placed in and completely submerged underwater. We recommend using a soft nail brush to gentle remove any buildup of dust / debris from your filters.
- Soak Allow adequate time to let the filters soak in the soapy water and be sanitised. Rinse clean and wipe off with a clean towel.
- Drain & Dry Weather permitting, you can put the filters and towel outside to dry in the fresh air — just keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Replace Return the filters to the air conditioner and replace any air conditioner components removed at the start of the cleaning process. You can now carefully vacuum the exterior of your indoor unit.
Filter Alarms
Some air conditioning units have ‘reset filter’ alarms that will cause a red LED to turn on when the unit has accumulated a certain number of hours of use, e.g. 250 hours, which gives you a nudge to remember to clean to the filter. If your unit has this function it is a useful way to keep track of how often your have cleaned the filter!
To reset the reminder system, there is usually a button you can press with “Reset Filter” or similar to turn off the LED and restart the run time. If you have a DAIKIN unit, we have downloadable operating instructions for the current ducted and wall split ranges that can be accessed on our Airconditioning Servicing: Why, When How? Blog. These manuals are useful not only for filter re-set instructions, but also for simple tips for how to get the most out of your air conditioner.
For your convenience we have created a simple to follow .pdf download for both the ducted and wall split filter clean processes, as they vary between the two system types. Please find them at the bottom of this blog.
