Maintaining your air filter is essential for optimal system health and clean, quality air. To ensure your air conditioner is running efficiently, it's important to remember to change the filter regularly. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about air filter maintenance, from washing and changing filters to understanding the MERV scale. To begin, it's important to wash the filter with a vinegar and water mixture.
Let it soak for an hour before rinsing with clean water. If the filter is too large to fit in a sink or bucket, use a garden hose to wash it, letting the water flow in the opposite direction of the airflow. For best results, replace the filter every three months or when the seasons change. Immersing the air filter in a vinegar mixture for an hour before cleaning can help eliminate harmful bacteria and break down persistent sticky particles. It's also important to frequently inspect air conditioner filters to avoid dirt and contaminated airflow.
You can clean and reuse a disposable filter, but overusing it can make it useless for your air conditioners. When selecting an air filter, consider the MERV scale. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) established this standardized method for testing the efficiency of air filters in 1987. The scale ranges from 1 to 16, with HEPA filters effectively trapping large particles such as pet dander, pollen, and dust mites. However, small particles such as viruses and bacteria, smaller allergens, and airborne chemicals can pass through HEPA filters. K&N air filters only need to be thoroughly cleaned when some parts of the screen are no longer visible, or approximately every 50,000 miles. In the worst case, a dirty or clogged air conditioning filter indicates imminent damage and health risks that must be handled immediately. For a high-quality air purifier with replaceable parts, flawless customer service, and a lifetime warranty, partner with Air Oasis and start breathing better.
With this comprehensive guide on maintaining your air filter, you can ensure your home is comfortable, efficient, and clean.
