Washable air conditioner filters are very easy to clean and maintain. Unlike disposable filters, you can simply take them out of your HVAC unit, rinse them with water, and they're good to go again.
A good rule of thumb is to replace pleated filters every 90 days. If you have electrostatic or washable filters, they should be washed, dried, and re-installed once a month. The washable filters are more eco-friendly and, if cleaned and reused appropriately, can last 5 to 10 years.
A good rule of thumb is to check your filter every month.
At an absolute minimum, you should change your filter every three months. A clean air filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, which could lead to expensive maintenance and utility bills.
Some air purifiers have separate filters, so you can clean them individually and buy each one as it needs replacing, but others have an all-in-one filter cartridge which can mean you'll need to replace the entire filter each time.
Many of the best air purifier brands on the market come with a HEPA filter that is washable, allowing you to clean and re-use it. Learning how to clean a HEPA filter may reduce strain on the air purifier as a whole, helping it last longer in your home.
First of all, while washable filters can handle larger particles made of dust and dirt, they're not as good at trapping tinier contaminants, viruses, and bacteria. Not to mention that washable filters still need to be properly maintained to be able to function well.
Washable filters generally fall very low on the scale, with MERV ratings between 1 and 4. That means they aren't very effective at capturing the microscopic particles that tend to decrease your home's indoor air quality. Disposable filters have a wide range of MERV ratings, typically ranging between 4 and 12.
Serious Compressor Damage
A clogged filter forces your air conditioner to work harder than usual, pulling air through the system. Sluggish airflow makes it nearly impossible for your system to provide you with adequate cooling, so the air conditioner may run continually in a futile effort to cool the home.
If your AC isn't cooling your space as effectively as it once did, or if the airflow seems weaker, a dirty filter could be the culprit. Cleaning it could bring back your AC's cooling power.
The filter looks dirty: This is simple but effective – look at your air filter. If it looks dirty, dusty, or has clumps of hair and dust, it's time to change it.
Washable air filters have a MERV rating of 1-4. A rating of 1-4 means the filter only captures particles larger than 10 microns. Pollen, dust mites and lint are all 10 or more microns in size, so a washable filter could prevent those types of debris from circulating in your HVAC system.
This leads to a variety of issues for your HVAC system including system inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and ultimately failure. If you haven't been swapping your air filters as frequently as you should, there's no time like the present to start practicing this crucial maintenance step.
After rinsing, you will want to lightly shake the excess water out of your filter to allow it to dry quicker. While you can proceed to the next step after allowing the filter to dry for 30 minutes to an hour, for optimal results you should let your filter dry overnight if possible.
Spray the filter with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and let it soak. Rinse. Using a faucet or garden hose, rinse the filter from both sides, starting from the interior towards the exterior to prevent pushing dirt further into the fibers of the filter. Avoid wringing or stretching the filter – they can tear easily.
The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short period of time. However, doing so for longer than 6-8 hours can hurt your system and decrease your home's indoor air quality.
Is my AC not working because of the filter? Potentially, yes. While there are a whole host of issues that could cause problems with your air conditioning system, a dirty air filter should be the first thing to check if your central air conditioning unit isn't working as properly as it should.
Typically, your air conditioner filter should be cleaned about once a month, depending on the frequency of use. This crucial maintenance step improves indoor air quality, increases air conditioner efficiency, and can help to reduce the electricity bill.
Reusable air filters should be washed as often as you would replace disposable filters. For the average home, your filter should be cleaned every 90 days. However, if you have a large house, allergy problems, or multiple pets, you should clean your filter once every one to two months or whenever it's visibly dirty.
Save money in the long run: The cost of a washable filter is higher upfront than a disposable one, but it lasts five years or longer, so it quickly pays for itself. After all, HVAC professionals recommend replacing the furnace filter every one to three months.
Cheap air filters are often less efficient at trapping particles, which means that more harmful airborne contaminants can enter your HVAC system and circulate throughout your home or office. This can lead to poor indoor air quality and increased health risks.
The first is related to their cost. A high-quality HEPA filter can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand depending on the size and model and the area to be covered. Secondly, they need to be regularly maintained and replaced in order to keep them working properly.
The average lifespan of HEPA filters can vary significantly depending on their usage, environment, quality, and maintenance, as previously discussed. However, as a general guideline, HEPA filters typically last between 6 months to 3 years before needing replacement.
ULPA filters trap more and smaller particulate matter than HEPA filters. ULPA filters are 99.999% effective at removing submicron particulate matter of 0.12-micron diameter or larger, while HEPA filters are 99.97% effective for eliminating particulate matter of 0.3-micron diameter or larger.