Air Conditioner Filter

Changing your air conditioner filter is one of the most important things you can do to keep your equipment working at peak efficiency. These filters should be changed at least very three to six months. Many contractors recommend every month but this is a bit excessive unless you have severe allergies or live in a very dusty environment. In this case you should use a very efficient air conditioner filter.

There are many factors that determine how long you should wait between filter changes. If you wait too long, equipment efficiency begins to decline and operating costs go up. Changing your filter too often can become expensive especially if you are using good quality filters.

Remember that the more efficient your air conditioner filter is the more often it will have to be changed. Pleated filters are ten to sixty percent efficient and do a good job. Some manufacturers claim efficiencies over sixty percent.

Generally, pleated air conditioner filters should be changed between 3 and 6 months, depending on how dusty your area is. Things like construction or living near dirt roads can make it necessary to change them more often.

For more efficient filtration you may want to consider using an electrostatic filter, a HEPA filter or an electronic filter. These are some of the more efficient air conditioner filters available.

Electrostatic air conditioner filters provide the best combination of value and efficiency. You will pay more for one of these filters than a good quality disposable filter would cost but they are reusable. You just wash them with water when they become dirty and they are ready to use again.

Electronic filters will never become dirty enough to effect airflow. They just become inefficient and there ability to remove dust from the air diminishes. To clean these filters you have to remove the electronic cells and soak them in something like HVAC cleaner and then rinse them and let them dry.

HEPA filters are the most efficient filters available but become plugged very quickly. They need to be checked monthly and often cause too much restriction to airflow to be used at all. An air conditioner contractor will be able to tell you if it is worth trying one of these in your system.

If you are using economy panel filters from your local hardware store and getting a pack of four for five or ten dollars, you are not doing yourself, your family or your air conditioning equipment any favours. When it comes to rating filters, these are at the bottom of the list.

You could probably leave one of these filters in your air conditioner for a year before it became dirty enough to have a negative effect on air flow.

About The Author
As an experienced Journeyman in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry Donald has gained a great deal of experience in the selection and maintenance of air conditioner filters