Why Is My Aircon Filter Always Dirty? Air conditioning is more of a necessity than a luxury in a country like Singapore. People rely on air conditioning to maintain the temperature and humidity for the better part of the year.
The problem is that air conditioning consists of many different parts. None is more vital than the Aircon filter. In case the Aircon filter is dirty, the efficiency of the Aircon reduces significantly.
Unfortunately for many people, the Aircon filter becomes dirty quite frequently. If you have experienced the same, you might also think, why is my Aircon filter always dirty?
We will answer that below and help you understand how the Aircon filter works. Once you know the reasons and how the filter works, it is easy to understand the causes and work towards executing solutions.
How Does Aircon Filter Work?
Before the aircon releases the air into the room, it passes through the filter. The filter’s job is to remove any contaminants and impurities from the air. This is done to ensure that the air being released into the room by the Aircon is entirely healthy.
Now that you know the basic job of the filter and the Aircon mechanism, it is time to understand why it gets dirty so frequently.
Why Is Aircon Filter Always Dirty?
There are a few reasons why your Aircon filter is always dirty. We will cover them below so that you can take remedial steps accordingly.
1. Substandard quality:
Every filter has a filtration capacity. If you’re going with a substandard filter, it will get dirty quickly. In a humid country like Singapore, the number of contaminants is also on the higher side. That is why substandard filters will get dirty quite quickly.
2. Large temperature difference:
The more significant the temperature difference between the set Aircon temperature and the temperature outside, the harder will the air conditioning work. It means that more air will pass through the filter as well. If more air passes through the filter, more contaminants will also pass, and therefore the filter will get dirty rapidly.
3. Presence of mold in the vicinity:
Usually, we associate the mold with the walls. However, a few particles of mold can also get into the air. Since the air conditioning is rotating that air, the mold can clog up the air filters quite quickly. If you notice that your Aircon filter is getting clogged quickly, it is time to look for mold on your premises. Once you eliminate the same, the air filter will not get dirty at the same pace.
4. Too many contaminants:
Many people in Singapore live in the vicinity of busy roads. The point we are trying to make is that the air quality in the vicinity of busy streets is not that good. It means that the Aircon filter has to deal with more particulate pollutants. In that case, it will get dirty quite quickly.
5. Excessive soot:
Excessive soot is one of the main reasons why an Aircon filter can get dirty. If you do not frequently clean your premises and it consists of excessive soot, there is nothing you can do about the Aircon filter. You need to start cleaning your premises more often to prevent clogging of the Aircon filter.
6. Frequent use of fan mode:
Almost every Aircon has a fan mode as well. In the fan mode, the volume of air that rotates through the Aircon is much higher. When more air goes through the filter, the number of contaminants that the filter catches will also be more, and therefore the Aircon filter will get dirty faster.
Usually, a fan mode is not needed that frequently. If you have turned it on accidentally, it is a good idea to switch to another mode so that the filter does not get dirty that often.
7. Leaky air ducts:
The problem with the leaky air ducts is that they can suck in the air from the attic or other parts of your home which are not that hygienic. Unhygienic air can clog up the air filter at a faster pace. Because of the same, this is another reason why your air conditioning filters can get dirty at a faster pace.
8. Presence of pets that shed:
Anything that contaminates your home’s air will result in faster clogging of the air conditioning filter. Similarly, if you have pets at home that shed, the hair can easily get into the air conditioning system. However, the filter will prevent them from being released back into the room. In turn, the filter will get clogged quickly.
These are the main reasons an Aircon filter can quickly get dirty. Now that you know the reasons, it is time to understand how to remove the Aircon filter from the air conditioning system and wash the same.
How To Dismantle and Wash Aircon Filter?
There are a handful of steps to extract and wash the filter. We will cover the step-by-step guide below.
- 1. Turn off the air conditioner unit.
- 2. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws and the outer casing of the Aircon.
- 3. Inside, you can see the filter and access it easily. You have to extract it by pulling it outwards slowly.
- 4. After that, you can easily hold it under gentle tap water to remove all the dust and contaminants.
- 5. Shed the excessive water by shaking the filter. Let the filter dry for 20 minutes before moving to the next step.
- 6. Install the filter into the air conditioning unit by moving it in the reverse direction, as in step three.
- 7. Screw the frame back into the air conditioning unit before turning it on.
That’s it!
In these seven simple steps, you can extract the filter, clean it, and put it back again. Now, it is time to look at the disadvantages of a dirty Aircon filter.
Dangers of Dirty Aircon Filter:
The risks of a dirty Aircon filter include:
- It can reduce the air conditioner’s efficiency and increase the electricity costs.
- It can lead to dirty air from the Aircon, which can be detrimental to your health.
- Dust reduces the capacity of the air conditioner to maintain the temperature inside your premises.
- It can lead to a complete breakdown of the air conditioning unit as well, in which case, you will have to opt for expensive aircon repairs.
Considering these disadvantages, it is a better idea to get the Aircon filter cleaned frequently.
Will Aircon Work Without A Filter?
While technically the Aircon can work without the filter, it is not advisable since it will release the dirt and contaminants back into your room rather than filtering them out.
Why Is My Aircon Filter Always Dirty? – Conclusion:
The guide above not only covers the reason why your Aircon filter gets dirty quickly but also helps you understand how to take remedial steps as well. It also answers the other common queries regarding a dirty air conditioning filter.
Therefore, in case of any doubt, refer to the guide above, and you can solve most filter-related problems easily.