Rest assured, it is getting clean. To clean the filter on your air conditioner, make sure the unit is turned off before you pop out the filter. Check out the steps below to learn how to clean the filter, how often you should clean it, and how to determine if your AC filter even needs to be cleaned in the first place. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. If the filter still has a lot of dirt after you vacuum it, try soaking it in a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 5 parts water for 1 to 2 hours. For more tips on how to keep your air conditioner clean, like how to know when your filter needs to be replaced, keep reading! Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. Consult your manufacturer’s directions for information about how often you should clean your filter. If there is no switch, you’ll need to manually pull the plug which feeds power to the condenser. Make sure your system is turned off before you do anything! This article was co-authored by Victor Belavus. Proper cleaning of reusable air filters … But other types of air conditioners have filters that are meant to be disposed of after a given amount of time. “But when that air filter is clogged with dust and particles, it forces the entire heating and air conditioning system to work harder to circulate air, and it also blows dirty air throughout a space. How to Clean Your AC Filter with a Vacuum Remove the air filter. What's more, cleaning your air … There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Instead of water and vinegar, you could mix a small amount of detergent or liquid dish soap into a volume of water that will cover your filter when it is submerged. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Wash the air conditioner or furnace filter Take the filter outside or into the shower and gently spray it clean. So, to improve the overall indoor air quality, it is essential to keep the filters clean … Carrier EZ Flex Filter Cabinet. Light dust can be removed with low power … However, the best way to keep it clean is to keep the airstream from the … Central furnace or HVAC filters are designed to filter air throughout a home. This should be performed every two weeks. The air quality in your home is worsening, Your air conditioner is struggling to cool your home, Despite the same usage, your electrical bill is higher than prior months. Instead of cleaning a disposable air filter, throw it away and replace it with a new one. You. Remove the dust and dirt from a reusable filter (one with a plastic or metal frame) with a handheld vacuum cleaner or with an attachment at the end of an upright vacuum’s hose. Alternately, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub between the grating of the air conditioner’s intake. If it is exceptionally grimy, leave it in for two hours or more. You can find Groupons for the pros that will come to your home and clean your home’s air … fill a sink with one part water and one part white vinegar, and How to Clean a Ducted Air Conditioner Filter. "Had never considered such frequent cleaning! After hosing your filter down, allow it to dry, then replace it. Is Your Water Heater Making a Vibrating Noise? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Just prop the filter up in your shower and, using your shower’s detachable showerhead, spray the filter’s entire surface, front and back, in a zig-zag motion. This will resemble a square box on the wall of the apartment or house. References. Support wikiHow by How to Clean Washable Air Conditioner Filters. Clean the filter with running water, such as … Now you know the steps toward a clean air filter for the central AC unit. Let’s now clean an Air Filter. Drain the water and vinegar solution and dry the filter on a rack. This makes it easier to clean your ducted units. 6 May 2020. Cleaning the air filter. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. For added effect, you could sprinkle a few spoonfuls of baking soda over your filter before spraying it down. If your reusable filters don’t seem to be working properly in your system, consult the HVAC guidance and services of Byrd Heating and Air … Some air conditioners have filters that can be cleaned. This article has been viewed 85,096 times. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. If you’ve taken good care of your air conditioner’s filter, you might not see a visible change in the filter when cleaning it. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Clean-the-Filter-on-Your-Air-Conditioner-Step-01.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-the-Filter-on-Your-Air-Conditioner-Step-01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Clean-the-Filter-on-Your-Air-Conditioner-Step-01.jpg\/aid8595856-v4-728px-Clean-the-Filter-on-Your-Air-Conditioner-Step-01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"