Some air filters are made of cheap materials that are designed to only filter large particulate matter and lasts up to 30 days, while other filters are specifically designed to maximize pollutant filtration including odors, chemicals, and small/large particulate matter that can be found in wildfire smoke – these types of filters can last as long as 6 months in your air conditioner. Additionally, it’s said to absorb and decompose odours and prevent mould formation. Window air conditioning units may not require a technician's attention, but that doesn't mean they're maintenance-free. How do I clean my air conditioner? Clean the Air Filter. Air conditioner filters become worn or damaged over time and need to be replaced. Unusual odors coming from window air conditioner units often result from mold growing on damp surfaces. How to open and clean a split system a/c indoor unit. Regular cleaning prevents dust and dirt from building up on filters and coils and slows mold growth. It was a helpful article for anyone with central A/C, but Unplggd reader Amanda H pointed out that we completely neglected many small, cool dwellers with window or free-standing air conditioning units.Just like any other appliance in your place, the window A/C also needs tender love and care. After a month of enduring brutal heat in the second-floor bedroom of my South Philadelphia row home, I finally installed a window air conditioner unit. There can also be health risks involving the air quality. With the air filters removed and cleaned, we’ll now clean the Heat Exchanger within your air conditioner. Keeping up with maintenance of your unit will ultimately prolong the life of your unit as well as maximize its performance and efficiency. Proper maintenance of your window or through-the-wall air conditioner should be performed regularly and particularly at the beginning and conclusion of the season in which it is used. Figure 1: Location of the air conditioner filter on a Carrier air conditioner. Air conditioners that aren't cooling the room very well may need more refrigerant, but a buildup of dust and other debris on the appliance's filter, coils and other hardware could also be the culprit. How to Clean Your A/C Unit. Make sure to disconnect the power first, then pop out and clean the filter. Sometimes you can get your window air conditioner to blow colder with a simple fix. So, you just need to clean it. To clean the filter on your air conditioner, make sure the unit is turned off before you pop out the filter. That’s not always the cause. Yesterday, we featured 5 Tips for Annual Air Conditioner Maintenance. Most people assume warm air from their air conditioning unit means it’s low on refrigerant. $15.84 $ 15. AC Safe Air Conditioning Window Unit Replacement Economy Plus Filter. For additional information related to properly maintaining your window air conditioner, please review the following article: Clean the filter with a solution of mild household detergent and water; rinse well. Decision Time: Clean or Replace. 1. Understandably, this means the air filters get dirty pretty fast. The more clogged the filter, the harder the air conditioner has to work to push air through it. We spoke with Dave Indursky at Encon, to get his advice on keeping air conditioner filters and systems clean! Properly cleaning your air conditioner outdoor unit extends its life and minimizes maintenance issues. 6. $3.98 $ 3. 4.5 out of 5 stars 380. If desired, you may use a vacuum cleaner to gently clean the filter as well. Now is also a good time to replace or clean your air conditioner’s air filter. Some units have a throwaway filter, similar to a furnace filter. A little TLC will help ensure that your unit performs efficiently, which can translate to savings on your monthly utility bill and a longer life for the appliance. Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. Do not place in direct sunlight to dry filter as UV rays can damage the filter material. The indoor air conditioner unit has dust filters that need regular cleaning. Mold spores could also cause allergic reactions and asthma. This includes cleaning your indoor and outdoor units. This window-mounted air conditioner also includes an air ionizer and washable filter to clean the air while also chilling it, and can handle big rooms up to 550 square feet. How to clean the indoor unit (filters and louvres) Clean the indoor unit dust filters. Fedders air conditioner units install directly into a window or wall of the home. Schedule your $88 air conditioner tune-up today! This can subject the machines to moisture, degradation, and that terribly foul smell of mold and mildew that piles up when an air conditioner hasn’t been cleaned for a while. Your Air Cleaning Filter should be replaced annually. Check out our maintenance checklist to see everything we do during a maintenance visit. 98 $6.59 $6.59. Clean your outdoor unit on a day that’s at least 60 degrees F. That’s about the minimum temperature at which you can test your air conditioner servicing to make sure it’s working. Filter removal and location varies depending on the individual model. ; If your air filter shows signs of damage, like tears, holes or excessive grime, it’s time to replace. An air conditioning service will ensure your unit is cleaned and checked thoroughly, inside and out. Power Cord. If you want the best-of-the-best in window AC units at this size that’s also ENERGY STAR Certified, this is your top choice. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon . 84. Get it as soon as Fri, Nov 20. This is best to do once the unit has been off for at least 5 hours to avoid any moisture or heat buildup. How to Clean Air Conditioner Fins with an AC Fin Comb. If your window unit air conditioner isn't working as well as it used to, it may just need a deep cleaning. To make sure your central air conditioner isn’t working harder than it needs to, it’s essential to keep both the interior and exterior AC fins clean. Toshiba’s N3 series of split system air conditioner units are also claimed to offer a high level of comfort with an IAQ Filter System, which is an ionizer air purifier. When this type of filter becomes dirty, replace it with a new one of the same type. Keeping your indoor air conditioning unit is just as important as cleaning the outside unit. Air filters in a wall mounted split system ductless A/C should be cleaned on a regular basis. Air conditioners and COVID-19 don't make a good mix. Finally, replace the air filter with a new, good quality one. Please consult the Owner's Manual for instructions specific to your model. If you are cleaning the coils after the air conditioner has already been running, put the unit in fan mode for about an hour in order to allow any condensed moisture on the evaporator coils to dry. Many times, window and through-the-wall A/C units can’t blow cold air because the evaporator and condenser coils or cooling fins are clogged. Clean or replace the filter. Dirty air filters and dirty coils can cause the unit to work overtime therefore reducing its lifespan. Filters serve to keep the air conditioner components clean, and over a lifetime of heavy use, they accumulate a huge build up of dirt, pathogens, and allergens. To check for signs of damage, turn your unit off and remove the central AC filter while wearing your rubber gloves. At first, it meant sweet relief. Running water alone is not enough to get the dirt out of the air conditioner filter. A good cleaning is recommended at least twice a month and should be one that involves more than just running the filters under water. Cleaning the air conditioner’s outside unit is just one of many tasks that need to be done to maintain your system’s energy efficiency. How to Keep a Window Air Conditioner Unit Clean. Ideally, you should clean your air filter once before the summer approaches, and then at least once, if not twice every month when it is in use. You can clean your filter with soap and warm water. How to Clean an Outdoor Central Air Unit. Room air conditioners have a filter mounted in the grill that faces into the room. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. For routine cleaning, use the tube extension on your vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt and dust out of the filter until it looks clean, and then put it back on the unit. 4.5 out of 5 stars 117. Air Conditioner Filter Replacement 24" wide x 15" high x 1/4" thick- 2 Packs. It consists of three layers of high-density filters that effectively remove up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, according to Toshiba. A dirty air conditioner filter that is covered with dust and grime restricts airflow, preventing the unit to cool as it should. Advertisement. Evaporator Coils: Remove the front grill, use a brush attachment with a vacuum cleaner to clean up any dust or debris that has made it past the air filter. DO NOT operate the unit without the filter installed. Deep Cleaning – If you’ve just bought a second-hand window air conditioner or you’ve never cleaned yours before, you’ll need to deep clean it. Cleaning the filter only takes mere minutes. Often, air conditioners, whether they are window units or central air systems, sit for months or years without maintenance. If you’re ready to learn how to clean a window air conditioner properly, read on for step-by-step instructions and cleaning products. If you notice that the unit is not cooling properly or that it is not functioning well, a dirty filter may be the cause. The ac condensers usually sit in an inconspicuous spot next to your house. Air Filters. Fedders recommends that the filter be cleaned at least once a month or as often as every two weeks if the unit is run on a daily bases. See steps ten to twelve. Perhaps the air filter is clogged with dust and dirt, which lowers the airflow and efficiency. Sometimes when you pull out the filter, it’s painfully obvious whether it’s time to clean or replace: if caked on dirt and dust are falling off the surface, it’s probably restricting air … A unit’s air filters are responsible for collecting and trapping dust, dirt, and other allergens, to ensure the air in the room remains clean and safe to breathe. This also applies to heat and cool units that may be used year-round. Let the filter dry completely before reinstalling it. Note that this guide has been written for split-system air con units, so if you have a vented, window, or portable air conditioner, your unit’s cleaning needs may vary from what’s outlined in this article. Compare Electricity Providers . Remove the air filter, then carefully use a narrow vacuum attachment to clean it out. But when you know that this pandemic just isn’t going away any time soon, it's important to consider how AC filters play a big role in respiratory health. Remember, homes with central air conditioning need to change their air filter every few months, but many apartment dwellers will never even think about cleaning out their window AC unit. Get it as soon as Fri, Nov 20. Air conditioner fins are delicate and can be bent easily, which can lead to costly, but necessary repairs. Common filter locations are in walls, ceilings, furnaces, or in the air conditioner itself. The air filter in your built-in or window room air conditioner should be cleaned every 30 days to ensure unrestricted airflow and improve performance. That can mean higher running costs. Air Conditioners Cleaning the Filter. Coatings of dust and dirt provide a perfect medium for the fungi that cause unpleasant smells. Follow the steps below to effectively disinfect and clean an air conditioner.