More on Central Air Conditioning Filters
Routinely replacing or cleaning the central air conditioning filters is the most important task that you can perform to ensure the efficiency and good performance of your central air conditioner. Dirty, clogged filters block the normal air flow and significantly reduce the system’s efficiency. With the obstruction of normal air flow, the air bypassing the filter can carry the dirt directly to the evaporator coil and greatly impair the heat-absorbing capacity of the coil. Keeping the central air conditioning filters clean can help lower the air conditioning system’s energy consumption by 5 to 15%.
Central air conditioning filters are generally located along the length of the return duct. Common air conditioning filter locations are in ceilings, walls, furnaces, or in the main air conditioner itself. Now, to ensure the proper functioning of your central air conditioning system, you have to make proper arrangements to make sure that the central air conditioning filters are clean and match the central unit.
The central air conditioning filters are used mainly to help provide a cleaner and fresher environment and to protect us from any type of dust allergies. Of course, it is logical to say that the main reason of using these filters is to keep the different components of the central air conditioning unit clean.
A dirty and not well-maintained air filter poses many ill effects, such as contribution to the reduced level of heating and cooling, failure of the compressor, increasing the consumption level of the blower power, and giving the air conditioning unit a shorter life.
The central air conditioning filters must be cleaned at least once every two weeks for an office environment and at least every three weeks for home applications. You should not wait for the entire filter to be filled with dirt and dust before finally deciding to clean it. If you find that its fibre glass is already coated with dirt and dust, then you are certain that it is high time to start cleaning your filter or even replacing it with a new one.
The air filter size would be 1.5 sq ft. for a one ton capacity. There are different types of filters available in the market. These include mesh filters, fibre glass filters, electronic filters, and electrostatic filters.
The mesh filters are permanent central air conditioning filters made of aluminium mesh. These can be cleaned and dried up easily. The fibreglass filters are often used in residences. They are relatively cheaper but they have low efficiency too. This type of filter is coated with adhesives for dust collection. When cleaning this type of filter, the adhesive must also be removed along with the dust.
The electronic filters make use of electrical power to filter the air. They are also one form of permanent filters. The electrostatic filter on the other hand uses the idea that the air moving via the filter creates static charges, and collects the dirt and dust particles.
When choosing central air conditioning filters for your central air conditioning unit, the main aspect to consider is that the duct that seals the air should return thoroughly from the air leak; otherwise, the unfiltered air will only enter the air stream fully.