When we talk about air conditioner maintenance, it involves two key things: regular servicing and changing the filter. These two activities are important to ensure that your air conditioner is properly taken care of in order to work efficiently.
Air conditioner filters trap various substances, from larger particles to smaller ones like dust and dirt. When dirty, they become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and odours. While cutting corners and avoiding changing your filter can be tempting, this will cause more harm over the long term.
Now that you know this, when should you change your filter and how often should you do it?
While there is no perfect answer, there are some signs you can look out for that indicate your filter needs a change.
Increased Electricity Bill
When there is a dirty air filter, it will cause your air conditioner to run inefficiently. It puts undue pressure on your air conditioner’s compressor, making it do more work. This in turn causes an increase in your electricity bill.
Therefore, if you find that your bill has been climbing at a breakneck speed, your filter may be responsible for this change. Replacing your air conditioner takes this load off your air conditioner and subsequently reduces the utility bill.
Increased or Worsened Allergies
Find yourself sneezing and wheezing away non-stop the last couple of days at home, especially when your air conditioner is turned on? Troubled about the occasional shortness of breath you experience?
These are possible signs of allergy that may be related to your dirty air conditioner filter.
While air conditioners like the Mitsubishi Starmex 5 ticks range come equipped with allergen-combating features like an anti-allergy enzyme filter, a dirty air conditioner does the opposite.
Because poorly-maintained air conditioners breed dust and allergens, they can aggravate existing allergies and conditions. Every time you switch on your unit, you’re releasing these trapped particles into the air.
Ignoring a dirty filter can lead to long-term allergic reactions. If you’ve noticed these telltale signs and you don’t have soft toys or fluffy furniture lying around, check your filter immediately.
Your Air Conditioner Is Heating Up
Slide your hand down the back of your air conditioner while it is running. Does it feel oddly hot to you, as though it’s running a temperature?
This is a sign that your air conditioner is working harder than it should. It can stem from a clogged air filter that makes your unit run needlessly harder. If untreated, this can result in frequent repairs and a shortened lifespan.
It Isn’t Cool Anymore
Your air conditioner remote control clearly indicates that you’ve set the temperature at 25 degrees, but it feels like a sauna in the room. Sometimes, you feel like your unit blows hot air instead of cool air.
This can come from a dirty air filter that disallows cool air from smoothly passing through and being released into the surroundings.
Your Surroundings Matter
What type of environment is your air conditioner placed in? Is it in a room that is constantly dirty and humid? Observe your surroundings, because it can affect the rate at which your air conditioner’s filter is dirtied.
A dirty room means that your air conditioner filter may be clogged up faster than in a clean room, since there are more dust and dirt particles floating around. If this is the case, consider changing your filter regularly more often, like every few weeks or every month.