5 Steps For Cleaning Your HVAC Filter
One of the most important maintenance steps you can take is to check and clean the air filter in your HVAC system. Having a clean air filter offers you many benefits. A clean air filter ensures that the air you are breathing is clean and free from contaminants. Having a clean air filter also takes the stress off of your HVAC system and allows your HVAC system to work more effectively. A clean air filter is an important component and part of taking care of your HVAC system. Many HVAC systems are equipped with air filters that you can clean. Follow the steps below to effectively clean your HVAC system's air filter.
#1 Remove Your Air Filter
To remove your HVAC system's air filter, you first want to power down your HVAC system. Make sure that it is turned off or turn off the breaker for your AC. Once your HVAC system is powered down, remove your air filter from the system. You generally have to remove a panel and just pull your air filter out, although the exact directions can vary from one machine to the next.
#2 Take The Filter Outside
You are going to want to clean the air filter outside, where you can use the garden hose. If it is winter time though, and cleaning the air filter outside is not practical, you can clean off the air filter in your tub or utility room sink.
#3 Spray The Filter Down
Use a garden hose with a spray attachment to spray the filter from both sides. Do not put the pressure up to high on the hose, you don't want to blast a hole in the filter. Get the hose to a medium pressure rating, increasing the pressure if necessary to get the dirt out. Spray the filter on one side, then switch to the other. Repeat this process until the water running out of the filter goes from being dirty and brown to nice and clean again.
#4 Shake Off Extra Water
Next, you want to take the filter and gently shake it. This is the fastest way to get rid of extra water that your filter may be holding. After you shake the filter, set the filter up somewhere where the air can circulate around it so that the filter can dry out. You don't want to put a wet filter into your HVAC system. Give it to to properly dry.
#5 Put The Filter Back In Place
Once the filter is completely dried off, it is time to put it back in place. When you put the filter back in place, look at the airflow direction arrows on the machine and on the filter, and make sure they match up. If you put the filter in backwards, it will not be able to properly clean the air and keep you protected. Once the filter is back in place, turn your HVAC system back on.
Contact a service, like Boyers R S Heating & Air Conditioning Inc , for more help.