It’s the start of summer but with many parts of Australia sweltering through heatwave conditions, there’s a good chance your air conditioner has already had a work-out over the past couple of months.
Cleaning your air conditioner’s filters is a simple but often overlooked task, and it’s an important one that helps appliances run more effectively and prevent damage to units.
There are also potential health risks in running a dirty air-conditioning unit, and the cleaner an appliance is, the more cost-effective it will be to run.
Why clean your air conditioner?
Gold Coast-based GP and Bond University assistant professor Kieran Le Plastrier says air-conditioning units typically filter out large particles such as dust and pollens, which are “an important contributing factor to airways irritation”.
Dr Le Plastrier says mechanical air systems such as air conditioners also have the potential to provide “the perfect conditions for mould growing”.Save money and stay warm with this air-con cleaning tip
This simple task can help save you money and keep you warm in winter. You’ve just got to remember to do it.
A congested air conditioner can also mean higher energy bills, as Chris Barnes, an indoor heating and cooling expert from consumer advocacy group Choice, explains.
“The general estimate is that a clogged filter can add something like 5-15 per cent to running costs,” he says.
“You’ll end up paying for energy that you’re not really getting the benefit of, and you probably won’t be getting the amount of cooling that you’re after either.
“So, for the sake of a five-minute job of dusting the filters, it’s worth doing.”
Where to start when cleaning your air-conditioning unit
Most air conditioners in Australian homes are split-system models, and Mr Barnes says the first port of call when cleaning one is the indoor unit’s dust filters.
“You’ve got the outdoor compressor unit running to connect it to an indoor unit, and the indoor unit is where the filter is,” he says, adding the filters are usually right inside a unit’s plastic hood.
If possible, check your user manual so you know how to open and remove things according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.Tips for cleaning ceiling fans
For appliances that spend a lot of their time moving, ceiling fans have a tendency to gather a surprising amount of dust. What are the most effective ways to clean them?
“Each design is a little bit different, but they’re basically sitting there, right there in front of you when you pop the hood open, and you pop them out.
“They’ll probably have a bit of dust on them — or maybe they’ll have a lot of dust on them — and you can just brush that off.”
He recommends doing this outside to prevent dust and other contaminants spreading throughout your home.
“If it’s really dusty, you might run a vacuum cleaner over them, just on a very gentle setting with a dusting brush, then just give them a good shake off. Most of the time, that’s all that they’re going to need.”
If they need a bit more, you can carefully wash them with Save money and stay warm with this air-con cleaning tip and let them air dry.
Other areas to clean
Dust can also build up on ducts and vents, and Dr Le Plastrier suggests “getting in there with a maybe the vacuum cleaner or soft cloth, and wiping out anything that you can safely reach inside the unit”.
“Obviously, if you are going to be reaching inside the units, make sure that the things turned off … and get a stepladder or something like that so you can reach up there safely,” he says.
When it comes to the outdoor component, Mr Barnes says you should make sure there are no leaves or spider webs blocking the airflow.
“Give it a bit of a going over the with broom if it’s looking a bit mucky, and just make sure that there’s clear space around it … Don’t allow stuff to build up around it,” he says.
Keeping them clean
Dr Le Plastrier says it’s a good idea to have a maintenance plan in place that includes periodically cleaning your air conditioner’s filters.
“Every few months, we’re supposed to check our smoke alarm batteries, and you could tie those two things together, perhaps,” he suggests.
And be aware that the need will vary depending on the season and your environment.
“If you run your air conditioner heavily and you’ve got very dusty air, you’re probably going to need to think about cleaning it more often,” Mr Barnes says.
When should you call in the professionals?
If you suspect you may have mould growing in your air-conditioning unit, Mr Barnes warns it may be “established all through the indoor unit”.
“Air-conditioner servicing companies and installers will usually offer a cleaning service,” he says.
“You shouldn’t generally need that, but in the case of serious mould infestation I’d get a professional in.”
What else should you keep in mind?
If you live in a particularly humid area, Mr Barnes says, it’s a good idea to run your air conditioner on fan-only mode once in a while to “help blow out dust and moisture that might have built up inside the unit … That gives it a bit of a hand.”
