One of the ways to keep your air conditioning bills down during the summer is to make sure that your AC always has a clean air filter. This filter isn’t designed to cleanse your home’s air; it protects the interior of the air conditioner from debris that enters through the return air ducts. As the air conditioner works during the summer months, the filter will collect dust and lint; eventually, it will become so clogged that it will choke off airflow and make the AC strain to work—and that means higher bills.
You should clean the filter once a month during the summer. Here’s how:
- Locate the filter. This is a bit tougher than it sounds, since there are a number of different places it may be found. Start by locating the spot where the return air ducts enter the air conditioner’s cabinet; this is where the air handler is located. The filter might be located in a slot on the intake side of the air handler. If you don’t see it there, look inside the house behind the return air vent’s cover.
- Take the filter out and use a vacuum to clean off the large clumps of debris caught in it. A hose attachment is the best way to do this.
- Go outside with the filter and clean off the rest of the debris using a garden hose. Keep the hose on low pressure, since you don’t want to bend or distort the mesh fibers of the filter.
- Let the air filter dry outside on a towel and only replace it after it has completely dried.
You still must schedule professional maintenance once a year for the system. If you want to see how to clean the filter, the technician will be glad to help you during the maintenance visit.
For help with caring for your air conditioning system during the summer—maintenance, repairs, or anything else—look to Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We serve Benton, LA and the surrounding areas.
