How To Clean Hvac Filter

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

Keep your HVAC system running efficiently with these simple maintenance tips. Information technology's easier than you might imagine to make clean an air conditioner filter or furnace filter. Hither'southward exactly how and when it's time to replace them.

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Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and ac) system keeps your dwelling's air make clean by trapping dust, pollen, germs, and other contaminants, but all those particles take to go somewhere. The system'due south air filter collects much of this buildup, which can eventually commencement to interfere with the unit's efficiency, increase your utility bills, and even compromise your home'due south air quality. Learning how to clean an air conditioner filter or furnace filter is a central part of regular maintenance that can proceed the organisation running smoothly and ward off a costly breakdown.

Yet, cleaning your home's air filters will only get you and then far. If the filter is excessively dingy, torn, or otherwise damaged, it's time to supervene upon your air filter. You should too annotation that disposable air filters (which are typically set in a cardboard frame) are generally not meant to exist cleaned and should be replaced when they get dirty. Cleaning works best with reusable filters, similar this washable electrostatic furnace and AC filter ($24, Lowe'south).

Side by side shut up view of a new unused and an old heavily clogged dingy air filters

Credit: Grandbrothers/Adobe Stock

How to Make clean an HVAC Air Filter

For best results, plan to clean your home'southward air filters most once a calendar month and supplant them about every six 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 will piece of work for most reusable filters.

What Yous Need

Screwdriver
Vacuum with soft castor attachment
Large bucket or sink
Hot h2o
Distilled white vinegar
Hose (optional)

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

Before you brainstorm, turn off your HVAC unit to forbid unfiltered air from circulating effectually your home while cleaning. Locate the vent and use a screwdriver to open the unit. Some systems might include multiple vents that each incorporate a filter, so be certain to clean them all. Remove the filter and inspect it for damage. Supersede the filter if necessary; otherwise, go on on to vacuuming.

Step two: Vacuum the air filter.

Take the filter outside if possible to avert stirring up dust inside your domicile. Use a vacuum with a soft brush zipper to remove debris from the filter. Run the brush beyond the filter to gently loosen stuck-on buildup.

Stride 3: Wash the filter with vinegar and water.

If your air filter requires deeper cleaning, fill up your sink or a large bucket with a mixture of equal parts hot water and distilled white vinegar. Let the filter soak for approximately one hour, and so rinse with clean water. If the filter is also large to fit inside a sink or bucket, use a garden hose to launder it off, letting the water run through the filter in the opposite direction of the airflow. Utilise a low-pressure setting to avoid dissentious the filter.

Step 4: Allow dry and replace.

Allow the filter air-dry completely before replacing it. This helps prevent mold growth within your HVAC system. Reload the filter within the unit of measurement, ensuring it's facing the correct direction for proper airflow. Nigh filters feature arrow markings that betoken the correct placement; these arrows should typically point toward the furnace in the direction of the airflow. Replace the vents and plow the unit back on.