It can be problematic on a warming summer day if your air conditioner is not cooling. The first thing you can do is check your filter. But before you check the filter, you might wonder if a dirty filter can cause the AC not to cool. Well, it can. A dirty filter can give rise to various issues that can inhibit your unit’s effectiveness. It can even lead to the early failure of the system. That is why experts suggest changing your filter every month if you want the best results. You can get help from ac repair dubai.
Problems Caused by a Dirty Filter
Below are the prominent issues that a dirty filter can cause:
- Overheating
A clogged or dirty HVAC system filter makes your air conditioner overheated. When the filter is obstructed by particles, it causes the AC to work harder to keep running, therefore putting more pressure on the unit. Ultimately it becomes overheated.
- Dirty Air
When the air conditioner does not function properly, your air may become unclean, harmful, and stagnant. To ensure that you and your family have healthy indoor air to breathe, it is crucial to clean your filter.
- Increased Use of Energy
When the AC has to work harder than average, it consumes more power than usual. It implies that your utility bill will rise due to your AC functioning harder to keep you cool than it commonly does.
- Uncomfortable Temperatures
It is one of the most significant issues caused by a dirty filter that your indoor air does not cool to the temperature you wish for. Insufficient cooling leads to uncomfortably warm temperatures in your house. Whenever you observe that your house remains warm or not cooling to the temperature you hoped for, you should immediately check your air filter.
Cleaning Air Filter
Most air conditioning filters nowadays have filters that should be replaced instead of cleaning. So before you start cleaning the filter, you must read the instruction manual to check whether cleaning the filter is an option or not. Unlike the removal of filters that vary by unit, steps for cleaning filters are primarily the same.
Follow the steps below to clean a dirty air filter:
- Vacuum the AC filter
It is part of the regular maintenance of an AC filter. For this purpose, use an attachment. Make sure it is without a brush because a brush can damage the filter. Run the vacuum nozzle downwards and upwards the length of the filter. You will see that some of the dust is removed. If you have pets in your house, you may have to repeat the process several times to get out as much hair as possible.
- Soak the AC Filter
Fill up a large container or a bathtub with room-temperature water. Mix in it a small amount of regular liquid detergent. Now place the filter in the bathtub or container and ensure that it is thoroughly submerged. Roll the filter back and forth to cover it in the soapy solution. Let it sit in the tub for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Avoid using any abrasive tools and brushes on the filter because such items can cause damage to it. It is advisable to use a hose to remove debris and dirt. Hose every side of the filter off until the water runs clear.
- Spray the AC Filter
Make a solution by mixing water and vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on both sides of the filter and then rinse it under running water after 10 minutes. This solution will kill the bacteria on the filter.
- Dry the Filter
Let the AC filter air dry for several hours. To speed up the drying process, you can put newspaper underneath the filter. After the filter becomes completely dry, you can reinstall it in your air conditioning unit.
