Spring Cleaning: Ductless Air Filters Edition

What do you think of when "spring cleaning" comes to mind? Does it almost seem nostalgic? Maybe someone in a home, with the windows open, cheerfully dusting surfaces and humming away?

Or do you have your spring cleaning routine narrowed down to an ultra-specific checklist? If so, do you remember to fit air filter cleaning into your tidying up?

We recommend cleaning your ductless air filters every two weeks. But don't worry if you are unsure how it’s done. We'll go over everything you need to know to make sure your filters are clean and performing their best.

The Importance of Ductless Air Filter Cleaning

Do you think you can put off changing or cleaning your air filters? If so, think again. Although one of the most basic components of your heating and cooling system, air filters are also one of the most important.

If you're in a home with children, pets, or high amounts of traffic, then your air filters get dirty quickly. Dirty air filters cause many different complications for you, your loved ones, and your HVAC system.

First, dirty air filters require more electricity to run. The more electricity used, the more you’ll see your utility bill rise.

And if you don't clean your air filter regularly, you can expect dust, bacteria, dirt, and mold to collect around the filter. All of the contaminants housed on the filter then circulate throughout the air in your home.

Not only does this lower the quality of the air in your home, but you're putting yourself at risk for allergies and other respiratory complications.

Clean Air Filters Keep Your System Running Smoothly

Beyond higher electric bills and respiratory complications, dirty air filters drastically reduce the lifespan of your heating and cooling system.

If you leave a dirty air filter in your HVAC system for too long, your system must work double-time. The effort spent pushing air through a clean filter is much less than what your system needs to propel air through a dirty filter. Your heating and cooling system can also overheat, burn out, or even require a total replacement. If you've dealt with this before, you know it's not a quick and painless process.

However, cleaning your air filters is a quick and painless process!

How to Clean Your Air Filters

Here's an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to clean your air filters.

First, you need to power off your heating and cooling system. If you leave it on while the filter is out, then unfiltered air will circulate through your home.

Second, you'll open the HVAC unit (you can easily access the filter in most systems with a screwdriver or by simply lifting the front cover of your indoor ductless units). If your unit has multiple filters, make sure to remove all of them.

TIP: Make sure that your air filter is in a cleanable condition. If it's too compromised, you’ll need a replacement filter.

Next, if you see dust or grime on your filter, you should opt in to use a vacuum. Make sure to use the hose’s soft attachment brush on your vacuum when you do this.  If you still have debris on your filter after vacuuming, then you'll need to wash the air filter with lukewarm water. Let the water wash the debris off of the filter or let the filter soak for dirt and grime that is particularly hard to remove.

After you have washed or let your air filter soak for about an hour, let it dry completely before reinstalling it in your HVAC system. By doing so, you'll prevent any potential mold growth. 

If your air filter is still dirty after following these steps, it’s time for a replacement.

Time to Replace?

In addition to cleaning your filter, it’s just as important to stay on the proper replacement schedule recommended by the filter’s manufacturer. It doesn’t help to clean an air filter that’s already in use longer than its designed lifespan. Ductless mini-split filters have a typical life span ranging from one to three years. Many ductless filters can be upgraded to include an additional “snap-on” specialty air filter—some that remove smaller dust particles, some that are specifically designed to remove bacteria, molds and pollens, and some add catechins to the air.

HEPA Filter Sales is your one-stop-shop for all high-quality filters that you can rely on—never offering any "knockoffs", ensuring your system is running properly with the equipment it needs. Order yours today, and we’ll deliver easy breathing right to your doorstep.