Noticed your power bills have been more expensive lately? Is your air conditioner not keeping you as cool over the summer as it did a few years ago? Chances are, it’s time to give your ducted aircon filter a quick clean.
Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your ducted aircon working efficiently all year round. In this short guide we share five simple steps on how to clean a ducted aircon filter, to keep your air-conditioner working at its best (and your power bills down!).
The air return filter on a ducted air conditioning system is designed to trap dust, dirt and other particles before they can enter the air conditioner. This not only prevents dust from damaging the inside of the unit but also helps to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria inside the unit. Learning how to clean a ducted aircon filter is essential for getting rid of mould in air conditioning systems.
Knowing how to clean a ducted air conditioner filter is also important for helping your AC work efficiently. Over time, as dust builds up in the filter, it starts to restrict airflow to the unit, reducing the efficiency of the system. In extreme cases, it can even cause damage to the fan coil unit. You can find more tips on ducted aircon systems in our blog on ‘How does ducted air conditioning work?’
When it comes to how to clean a ducted air conditioner filter, we have good news: you can do it in about half an hour, and you don’t need any special tools or equipment. Here’s how to clean a ducted aircon filter in five simple steps:
Before you do any air conditioner maintenance, it’s a good idea to make sure the AC is switched off. Once you’ve done that, the first step is to open the air conditioner duct so you can remove the filter from the return air grill frame. Depending on which type of ducted system you have, the return air filter will either be in the ceiling or a wall.
To open the return air grill, undo the hinged return air grill frame fixing(s). The fixing(s) is usually a thumb screw or a sliding clip. Once you’ve undone the latch, swing the filter frame open and let it hang vertically.
Once you’ve opened the return air grill, you should be able to slide the filter out. It’s a good idea to wear a mask if it’s been a while since you last cleaned the filter, to prevent you from breathing in too much dust—especially if the vent is located on the ceiling.
Once you’ve removed the filter it’s time to give it a good clean. The best way to clean the filter will depend on how much dust has accumulated. If there’s a thick layer of dust, we recommend taking the filter outside (or leaning it over the bin) and giving it a gentle tap or brush to remove as much of the dust as possible, being careful not to tear the filter. You could also gently vacuum the filter. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to wash the filter in warm soapy water. You don’t need any harsh chemicals—ordinary dishwashing liquid is fine. If your sink isn’t large enough, a bathtub is a great place to do this. You can also hose it down outside if you’d prefer. You’ll know you’re done cleaning when you can see light through the filter.
As you can see in the photo below, the difference will be pretty obvious—the filter on the right is covered in dust!
Once the filter’s clean, it’s a good idea to give it a once-over to check for any tears or signs of damage. If you find any, you know it’s time to replace the filter.
To dry the filter, lean it against a wall, or place it on a rack, outside in the sun, or in a warm, well-ventilated area. If you’re particularly short on time you could even use a hairdryer to dry it quickly. Either way, it’s essential to let it dry properly before putting it back in the grill to prevent mould and bacteria from growing in the ducted unit.
Slide the filter back into the hinged grill, swing the grill back into the recess and screw up the fixing screw (slide back the clip).
The number one question we get asked after how to clean a ducted aircon filter, is ‘how often to clean ducted aircon filter’. Generally speaking, we recommend checking and cleaning the filter in a residential unit once every six months. If your house is especially dusty, you have pets, or you use your air con a lot, we recommend checking it every 3-4 months. You might not need to clean it every time, but getting into the habit of checking regularly can save you headaches in the long run.
If you’re wondering ‘how to clean filter on Mitsubishi ducted air conditioner’, ‘how to clean Fujitsu ducted air conditioner filter’ or ‘how to clean Daikin ducted aircon filter’ the good news is that the five steps above should have you covered. That said, each system has its quirks, so it’s a good idea to check the owner’s manual. For example, on the Daikin ducted systems, a filter message comes up on the controller periodically prompting you to clean the filter.
Want to know more about how to clean ducted aircon filter? Get in touch with Crown Power for more expert tips on maintaining and servicing your ducted air conditioning systems.