Cleaning your AC Filter

JoeH wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
My 6 filters for my 3 AC units are a simple thin sponge type of filter media. Simply wash, squeeze dry with a towel and replace.

I have a spare set, so I swap out the dirty with clean. Then clean and dry the dirty ones and they are ready for the next swap out

I considered that but the time it takes to rinse out from the back side and roll up to dry in a hand towel is negligible.

When dust hits wet fins you get mud. Air flow will fairly quickly suffer and if prolonged will cause the compressor to run longer and hotter as well as the fan. After a while reduced air flow will cause the evaporator coil to ice over. Air don’t move through icebergs. Compressors are not cheap.

Guy Roan wrote:
The manual says to clean the filter, so I clean it.
It is a five minute job

Guy

I don't clean them, just replace. The material is just a couple $ at wallyworld so I just cut 2 new ones.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
My 6 filters for my 3 AC units are a simple thin sponge type of filter media. Simply wash, squeeze dry with a towel and replace.

I have a spare set, so I swap out the dirty with clean. Then clean and dry the dirty ones and they are ready for the next swap out

Look what’s on the filter when it gets used for a weekend. Now imagine it removed and what would be on the evaporator after one year of use.

Just clean the filter after every trip!

some of that gunge may even collect on the squirrel cage vanes and further degrade the air flow. :h

BTW, I think some of us cold have cut the OP a little slack and not used the "s" word as in stupid on him.

Cooling coils are wet. Dust in the air will quickly collect on the coils greatly reducing there efficiency. The fins will clog reducing the airflow more then the filters do.

My 6 filters for my 3 AC units are a simple thin sponge type of filter media. Simply wash, squeeze dry with a towel and replace.

Filters of any kind have a purpose. Use them and maintain them. Geesh.

ryoung

cavie wrote:
Never and it's just plan stupid. Without the filter you are allowing the dirt to collect on the coils instead of the filter and blocking air flow thru the coils!! You cannot get to the coils to clean without going on the roof with special coil cleaner that is hard to buy and unsafe to use without proper training.

What he said times 2 Cleaning the filter.. easy
Cleaning the condenser coils.. NOT so easy.