How to take care of that AC and make sure it lasts you for a long time

Cleaning and maintaining of AC’s air filter regularly may add years to one’s life and add to AC’s performance. Here’s how to do carry the task.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Apr 24 2021, 19:02 IST
Indoor air pollutants have a direct bearing on our health. There can be short-term and long-term impacts on our health.
Indoor air pollutants have a direct bearing on our health. There can be short-term and long-term impacts on our health. (Pixabay)

Clean air is a rare commodity these days and most often difficult to get even in the suburbs. According to a study from World Health Organization (WHO), several organic and inorganic pollutants and suspended particles are already present in the air inside our homes. Indoor air quality is important to monitor as people spend a considerable amount of time at their homes. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us reasons for the whole family to be at home for long hours.

There are high chances that in residences, day-cares and hospitals, retirement homes, and even offices we continue to monitor and check the air quality for healthy living. Even the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) emphasis upon the monitoring of indoor air quality in India. This is important as Indian households often use oil for cooking which increases the particulate matter (solids or liquid droplets) inside the room. India has already notified several pollutants as the causative agents of indoor air pollution.

In such a scenario, it is recommended to either eliminate the source of pollution or improve ventilation within our homes. While both are necessary, it is high time that we investigate improving the ventilation from within, and one way to do that is to maintain your air-conditioning unit and keep its air filters clean all the time.

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Why it is important to clean air filters

Indoor air pollutants have a direct bearing on our health. There can be short-term and long-term impacts on our health. These may include colds or other viral diseases, or some other problematic respiratory disorders. This impacts our life span too.

But there is a way one can reverse this trend. According to the US's Environmental Protection Agency, increasing the ventilation may help remove the suspended particles from within. While natural ventilation is recommended, various mechanical ways such as through outdoor air intakes associated with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system have proven to be effective ways to achieve the desired results.

Here, cleaning the filters in your air conditioner is a crucial maintenance task. It needs to be carried out diligently at periodic intervals. Dirty air filters often need more energy to operate, resulting in increased electricity bills and ineffective cooling.

It is true that airborne particles do not get filtered because of a dirty filter: An HVAC air filter has the responsibility to filter out dander, allergens, pollen, and other airborne particles. A properly functioning air filter can improve the quality of indoor air which is essential for your good health. But, when you have a dirty air filter, these airborne particles do not get filtered. This can be prevented by cleaning the air filters.

The direct benefit of improving air quality is that it adds to one's health. This also adds to the life of one's air conditioner:

1. Ensures the efficiency of air conditioner: Clogged filters may result in blocking of normal airflow and decreasing the efficiency of the system by a significant amount. Cleaning these air filters, on the other hand, ensures consistent efficiency of your air conditioner.

2. Cleans the ductwork too: If the air conditioning filters are kept clean, it can help keep the ductwork cleaner. This happens through the natural flow of the air with minimal resistance.

3. Extends the life of air conditioning unit: A dirty air filter will make it difficult for the AC to handle air. This, in turn, will result in increased wear and tear. Having said that, regular filter cleaning can help ease the pressure on your air conditioner and increase its lifespan.

It is important to know that lack of maintenance and dirt are some of the major causes of HVAC failure. So, improving the life of your air conditioner begins with a clean air filter.

Why you need to change the air filters

Like any other depreciable spare, an AC air filter too has a shelf life; using it beyond that is not at all advisable. That is when replacement of the air filters come into the picture.

• Safeguard the environment: A clogged air filter means a strained HVAC system that leads to the liberation of huge amounts of carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases. Something as simple as changing an air filter can contribute to environmental protection.

• Save money: A dirty air filter uses more energy and results in increased electricity bills. It is more expensive to run as compared to a new, clean air filter.

• Have healthy, clean air: When one regularly changes his air filter, it results in fresher, cleaner, and more beneficial air. This creates a conducive environment which is healthy for everyone at home.

Something as simple as cleaning or changing your AC's air filter can make a world of difference to how AC performs and doing it at recommended intervals is what matters in the current situation.

This article has been written by Naohiko Hosokawa, Director & Business Unit Head-Living Environment Division, Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt. Ltd.

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First Published Date: 24 Apr, 19:02 IST
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