How To Clean An Air Filter

How to Clean Your Home's Air Filters for a Healthy Firm

Proceed your HVAC system running efficiently with these elementary maintenance tips. It'south easier than you lot might imagine to make clean an air conditioner filter or furnace filter. Here's exactly how and when information technology's time to supplant them.

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Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and ac) organization keeps your abode's air clean by trapping dust, pollen, germs, and other contaminants, but all those particles have to go somewhere. The system's air filter collects much of this buildup, which tin eventually first to interfere with the unit'southward efficiency, increase your utility bills, and even compromise your home's air quality. Learning how to clean an air conditioner filter or furnace filter is a fundamental part of regular maintenance that can keep the organisation running smoothly and ward off a plush breakdown.

However, cleaning your abode's air filters will only go you and then far. If the filter is excessively dirty, torn, or otherwise damaged, it'south time to replace your air filter. You should also notation that disposable air filters (which are typically set in a cardboard frame) are mostly not meant to exist cleaned and should be replaced when they go dirty. Cleaning works all-time with reusable filters, like this washable electrostatic furnace and Ac filter ($24, Lowe's).

Adjacent close up view of a new unused and an former heavily clogged muddy air filters

Credit: Grandbrothers/Adobe Stock

How to Clean an HVAC Air Filter

For all-time results, plan to make clean your domicile's air filters about one time a calendar month and replace them about every vi months. Exist sure to check the manufacturer's instructions to determine the best fashion to clean your air conditioner or furnace filter, but the steps below volition piece of work for most reusable filters.

What You Need

Screwdriver
Vacuum with soft castor zipper
Big saucepan or sink
Hot water
Distilled white vinegar
Hose (optional)

Stride 1: Turn off the power and locate the filter.

Earlier you lot begin, turn off your HVAC unit to prevent unfiltered air from circulating around your home while cleaning. Locate the vent and use a screwdriver to open up the unit. Some systems might include multiple vents that each comprise a filter, so be certain to clean them all. Remove the filter and audit it for damage. Replace the filter if necessary; otherwise, go on on to vacuuming.

Step 2: Vacuum the air filter.

Take the filter exterior if possible to avoid stirring up dust within your habitation. Utilise a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove debris from the filter. Run the castor beyond the filter to gently loosen stuck-on buildup.

Footstep 3: Launder the filter with vinegar and h2o.

If your air filter requires deeper cleaning, make full your sink or a big bucket with a mixture of equal parts hot water and distilled white vinegar. Allow the filter soak for approximately 1 hour, then rinse with make clean water. If the filter is too large to fit within a sink or bucket, use a garden hose to wash it off, letting the water run through the filter in the opposite direction of the airflow. Use a low-pressure level setting to avert dissentious the filter.

Step 4: Let dry and supercede.

Let the filter air-dry completely before replacing it. This helps foreclose mold growth inside your HVAC system. Reload the filter inside the unit, ensuring it'southward facing the right direction for proper airflow. Nearly filters feature pointer markings that indicate the correct placement; these arrows should typically point toward the furnace in the direction of the airflow. Supersede the vents and turn the unit of measurement back on.