A dusty filter is one of the simplest things to fix on an air conditioner – and one of the most overlooked as well. Is your unit blowing a bit weaker than it used to, or does it seem to be working harder for the same result? A quick check of the filter is undoubtedly the first thing worth doing.
Here’s how to clean air conditioner filter problems yourself, in 6 straightforward steps – no matter what type of system you’ve got running at home:
Step 1: Find your filter
Before anything else, work out where your filter actually is.
Got a split system?: You’ll find the filter behind the front panel of the indoor unit.
Got a ducted system?: It’s usually at the main return air grille, often set into the ceiling or a hallway wall.
Step 2: Turn it off
Switch the unit off – and if you can, turn it off at the wall or the breaker too.
You might think there’s no particular need, but working on a filter with the system live simply isn’t worth the risk. So don’t!
Step 3: Take the filter out
Open the front panel or grille cover and slide the filter free.
Most filters lift out without tools, though some ducted setups have a couple of clips holding the grille shut.
Step 4: Give it a clean
A vacuum with a soft brush attachment handles loose dust really well – and quickly.
And for any gunk that’s more built up, wash the filter in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent, then rinse it clean under a tap until the water runs clear.
Step 5: Dry it properly
Let the filter air dry completely before it goes anywhere near the unit again.
Why? Because putting a damp filter back in traps moisture inside the system – which is exactly the kind of thing that leads to mould and musty smells not too far down the track.
Step 6: Put it back in
A few simple instructions for this one:
- Slide the filter back into place
- Close the panel or grille
- Switch the power back on.
Answers to all of your questions
That’s it – just 6 simple steps that covers just about any air conditioner type you might possibly have.
But we also understand that things aren’t always so simple in the real world. So before you give up on servicing your own air conditioner filter, we’ve answered the questions we get the most:
Q: What if you’ve got a wall unit?
Understanding how to clean air conditioner filter on a wall unit really is something that follows exactly the 6-step process we outlined above, with the wall-mounted split system being the most common type in Australian homes these days.
The only real difference is access, as the filter usually just slides straight up and out from behind a panel that clips open at the bottom, with no screws or tools needed.
Q: What about ducted systems?
How to clean ducted aircon filters? That’s a slightly bigger job, mostly because the filter itself tends to be larger and the access panel can be less obvious.
Some ducted systems have a single filter at the main return air point, while others use smaller filters at each ceiling vent. So you’ll need to check your system’s manual if you’re not sure which setup you’ve got, because cleaning the wrong spot won’t do much for airflow – and it’s easier than you might think to mistake a decorative ceiling grille for the actual filter access point!
Q: Reverse cycle or evaporative?
If you’re specifically wanting to know how to clean reverse cycle air conditioner filters, the process is identical to a standard split or ducted clean. That’s because reverse cycle just refers to the system’s ability to heat as well as cool – it’s not like it’s a totally different filter design doing a totally different thing.
Evaporative systems work a little differently. Their pre-filter can usually be cleaned the same way, but the wet cooling pads behind it are a separate part and often need replacing or professionally servicing rather than just DIY washing – so it’s worth checking your unit’s specific guidance before pulling anything apart.
Q: How often should you clean it?
How often to clean air conditioner filter parts really comes down to two things:
- How much the system runs
- What’s in the air around your home.
As a rough guide, every 4-8 weeks during heavy use is reasonable enough for most households. But do it more often if you’ve got pets or you run the system every single day through summer.
But honestly, a quick look or check each month is enough to tell you whether it’s due, without needing to stick to any sort of super-strict schedule.
Beyond the filter
Filter care is the easy part of air conditioning cleaning – but it’s not the whole deal.
All of these collect their own build-up over time as well:
- The coils
- The drainage parts
- The fans.
And none of that gets addressed just by pulling out a filter every month. So: Skip the temptation to reach for a random air conditioner cleaner spray on internal components you can’t easily see, since the wrong product on the wrong part can do more harm than the dust ever would, particularly around electrical connections inside the unit.
When a simple filter clean just isn’t enough
Are you filters now clean but the system simply isn’t performing the way it used to? That’s a pretty clear sign that it’s time for proper air con cleaning by someone who can get into the parts a DIY filter clean doesn’t reach.
Reach out to Fluid Air Conditioning, and we’ll take care of it properly, whether you have a split system or a ducted setup. We can’t wait to hear from you!
