To ensure your ducted system is working at its most efficient, you need to clean your filters at minimum once every six months. At the beginning of summer and then again before you start heating in winter are the optimal times to give the filters a good clean.
The air conditioner filters for a ducted system will need to be cleaned regularly. We recommend cleaning them at least every three months. As such, you should be completing this process yourself instead of waiting for your annual service.
One of the biggest factors to consider when looking at repairs or replacement is the age of the system. Depending on the type of unit and its care and usage, your ducted air conditioner should last up to 20 years. After that time, parts become susceptible to age, wear and tear, reducing its reliability.
It is safe to do so, but regular maintenance is even more important because there's more wear and tear on the system.
For high-quality air filters, experts recommend changing them after every 3-6 months. However, it is essential you regularly clean them once every month. If someone in your home has allergies or asthma, you'll want to change air filters at least once in a month to ensure indoor air quality is at its best.
Dirty filters restrict the flow of cold air which can cause it to build up inside the air conditioner. The final result could be the formation of ice on the coils. Anyone in your home suffer from allergies or asthma? A dirty filter can make their symptoms much worse.
As a consequence, your unit will work harder causing an increase in energy consumption. In many cases, this can also result in overheating of your unit. Airflow is compromised – Dust and dirt can build up in your air conditioner's fan blades.
This is necessary to allow the hot air to be released outside, as it is not drawn into an outside condenser. Most experts recommend that you open windows which are furthest from the ducts or vents. You should aim to create an opening twice the area of the vent opening.
To clean the window air conditioner without removing it, use the vacuum with the soft brush attachment, and carefully vacuum out any dust balls or other stuff you see in the unit. Then, mix together your water and two drops of dish detergent. Next, spray this inside the machine and wipe the areas down.
Keep the outdoor compressor unit clear of surrounding grass and plants, and brush away dust, leaves and cobwebs regularly. Running a vacuum cleaner over the air intake can help clear dust from inside. We don't recommend that you open up the unit to clean its internal components – leave that to a professional service.
2-3 hours isn't a big deal when you are saving hundreds and thousand from AC services & repair for the long run. Once you are done with the outdoor unit, the indoor part should take more than an hour or so. That's about it for today. By the way, are you looking for an HVAC system for your home?
They can make your family sick:
Your family may suffer upper respiratory infections if they experience coughing, headaches, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throats, runny noses, and low fevers due to dirty air-conditioning filters.
Dust, dirt, and other allergens can build up in your air ducts over time and eventually be released into the air that you breathe. This can cause all sorts of respiratory problems, including sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.
AC compressor coils can harbor mold and mildew. When the compressor kicks on, it can spread these contaminants through the entire system, making you sick. Symptoms of this sickness include a runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion.
Clogged air filters can run havoc on your HVAC system. If you're still unsure what happens if you don't change your HVAC filter, it can be a health hazard. It can lead to system failure, and the components won't last long or consume more energy.
Many disposable air conditioner filters should be replaced rather than cleaned, as cleaning with water can lead to possible mold issues. Clean the coils and fan of the AC regularly, using a canister of condensed air to blow away dust and buildup.
Air filtration is one of the most critical aspects of your ducted air conditioning unit. Without a quality filter, your unit will suck up and distribute unsavoury particles throughout your home.
During summer, the ideal temperature to set your AC is 22 – 24 degrees. While during winter, it's more ideal to set it on 20 – 22 degrees.