Cleaning Air Conditioning Filters

Whenever the weather starts to warm up, people begin to think about using their air conditioners again. Unfortunately, what many people forget is that air conditioners need a little servicing before they can work properly, particularly when they have been sitting for a while. Often, one of the most overlooked portions of air conditioning maintenance is cleaning the filters.

Follow these easy steps, and you will vastly improve the indoor air quality of your home and save money while doing so.

1. Inspect. Prior to cleaning your air filters, you need to inspect them to ensure that they are still in good working condition. Look for rips, tears and snags in the filters that may hamper or degrade its operating efficiency, while also taking the time to see how dirty it is. While you are doing this, take the opportunity to see if you have any replacement filters on hand. (If you don't, then you need to get some.)
2. Remove. Once you are done inspecting your filters you need to remove them. This step is absolutely vital, regardless of whether you need to clean or replace the filters in question. When removing the filters, make sure you are as careful as possible to avoid damaging them.
3. Clean. After removing the filters, and as long as they are still in good condition, go ahead and clean them. Many filters used in today's air conditioners are made of a thin plastic electrostatic mesh, which is extremely easy to clean. Simply rinse it out and allow it to dry prior to reinstalling.
4. Replace. If, during your inspection or after removal, you find that the air filter is too damaged, it might be better to just replace it. Just make sure that your replacement filter is the same type as the one you have now.
5. Install. To install your clean or new filter, either follow the directions that came with the new filter or by doing the reverse of step two. Make sure that everything you removed from the air conditioner is back in place before you turn anything on.
6. Maintain. Once you clean the filter you will need to maintain it. For homes you will want to clean or replace the filter at a minimum of once a month. For offices, you will need to do this about every two weeks.