Cleaning your air filters in all Carrier Air hi-wall split system products is easy – simply pop the front of your unit off, remove the air filters and brush, shake or vacuum any and all debris out of them*.
However, common places filters are found can include: within a small slit on the bottom of the unit, on an external rack usually off the side of the furnace, in the ductwork as a cutout, or in the return air vents. If you are unable to locate your filter, please contact your dealer or installer.
Some should be replaced every 30 to 60 days. Others might last 6 months to a year. The answer depends on factors such as how often you use the system, the type of filter, whether there are any pets in the home, and your personal habits such as having smokers in the house, use of a wood-burning fireplace, and more.
If you don't change your air filter, it can quickly become clogged with dust and debris, preventing proper air filtration. This leads to a variety of issues for your HVAC system including system inefficiency, higher energy bills, inadequate air quality, and ultimately failure.
Dirty air filters cause your AC to operate at a lower efficiency which means it does not cool your house as well as it should, and can end up costing you more money in the long run.
Increased Energy Consumption
A dirty filter forces your AC system to work harder to maintain a cool temperature, leading to an increase in energy consumption. If your utility bills have spiked without any apparent reason, a thorough cleaning of your filter might be all it takes to rectify the issue.
These effects can result in impurities entering the combustion chamber which can damage piston rings, bushes and cylinders. Repairing these damages repeatedly exceeds the cost of a new air filter, so it is certainly not worth taking the risk by cleaning the filter. Cleaning the air filter only improves its appearance.
Carrier Air's hi-wall split system air conditioners actually have double filters and an advanced two-step filtration process. The first filter keeps out larger particles like pet hair and dust, while the second captures and minimises common household odours and bacteria.
If you can't find an air filter near your HVAC unit, then you may have to look in your return vent. Because HVAC units are often set up in a more difficult to access area, the filters are sometimes placed here for better accessibility.
CLEAN AIR function(Optional)
By simply pressing the SELF CLEAN button, the system will automatically manage the process. This cleaning action may be done as frequently as desired. For cooling models, only the indoor fan is active in low speed for 30 minutes and the unit turns off automatically.
A dirty air filter restricts airflow through the HVAC system making it harder to reach your desired indoor temperature at an increased cost.
“Many disposable air conditioner filters should be replaced rather than cleaned, as cleaning with water can lead to possible mold issues," adds Hollon. Don't: Use products with harsh chemicals to clean your unit or filter as this could damage the appliance.
As a general rule, it is never a good idea to run your air conditioner or HVAC system without an air filter in place. Any amount of time spent doing so can lead to permanent damage and the possibility of needing expensive repairs.
If the condenser is not clean and properly allowing air to flow through, it could burn out. Air conditioners with dirty or blocked condensers do not operate efficiently. A congested condensate drain line can even cause water damage.
While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
For example, if you use fiberglass filters, have pets, and run your AC day and night, you should probably change it every month. However, if you don't have pets, use high-quality filters, and only run your AC for a few hours a day, you may be able to get away with going six months between changes.
With that said, how dirty should an air filter look? A dirty engine air filter will be either completely dark brown or black. If this is the case, it's time to install a replacement.
To remove your old filter, turn off your AC, unscrew your air handler or grate from a return duct and gently pull it out. If the filter is dirty, wrinkled, greyish, or filled with dust — its next destination is the trash. Be sure to place the new filter in the same direction as the old one.