How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Return Air Filter

Is your air conditioning filter sign flashing on your controls? This is a reminder that it’s time to clean your air conditioning filter. The filter media is inserted into the return air grille which is installed into the ceiling located in a central area i.e. hallway.

You Can Clean Your Air Conditioning Filter in 7 Easy Steps:

1. Undo the hinged Return Air Grill frame fixing. The fixing is usually a thumb screw or a sliding clip.
2. Swing the frame open and let it hang vertically.
3. Slide out the filter
4. Vacuum the lint off the filter
5. Wash the filter in warm water
6. Let the filter completely dry out in the sun
7. Slide the filter back into the hinged grill, swing the grill back into the recess and screw up the fixing screw or slide back the clip

Why Air Conditioning Filter Cleaning is Important

Filter cleaning is a task that is commonly regarded as unnecessary or of low priority. In fact, it is one of the key steps to keeping an efficient system and a healthy environment. Ducted air conditioning circulates through the whole house starting in the indoor unit, blowing out through the vents, feeding through the return air grille before returning to the indoor unit where the cycle starts again. That’s why it is vital to keep a clean filter because the air feeds through here and recycles through your home.

If you don’t clean your filter, the dust and lint will build up and consequently restrict the air flow back to the fan coil (indoor unit). If the air flow is restricted, the system has to work harder by using more power to try and suck the air through. This will inadvertently increase your power bill. If the dust and lint is blown past the filter it can potentially damage the fan coil. The dust and lint may pass through the fan coil and circulate through your home creating polluted air which could create health issues.

How Often Should Air Conditioner Filters Be Cleaned

Filter cleaning should be done every 3-4 months on a residential system. In a commercial situation, it should be carried out every month. The filter light is set to automatically remind you every six months however it is important that it’s done regularly. Keeping a clean filter means everyone is happy and healthy, with lower power bills and clean air to breathe.

Concerned about the air quality in your home? Enquire today on our Air Conditioning Sanitiser products, you can read more on these products here.

Quality Air cleans the filters as part of your annual service, which means that’s one less time per year that you won’t have to do it. How long since you filter has been cleaned? Either follow the easy seven-step guide to cleaning your filter above or call us on 07 3395 7633 to arrange for one of our technicians to come onsite.