AC air filter 101: Guide to boosting your AC’s performance

An air conditioner works by recirculating and conditioning or processing the air in your room. It does so by sucking vast gulps of air through an air filter, conditioning it by compressing it and having a refrigerant draw out the heat, and then blowing the air back into the room.

That first part – sucking in air – is so important that the mechanism responsible for it, the air filter and intake, takes up the most space on the indoor unit of your air conditioner (AC). The efficiency of this system not only determines the quality of the air you breathe, but also the power efficiency of your AC. You need to keep your filter clean to breathe the cleanest air and to improve the longevity of your AC.

1. Airflow efficiency

The air filter blocks dust, some germs, and a lot of the other flotsam swirling in the air in your home. Of course, this means that it gets blocked over time as the fine mesh of the filter gets clogged. This is made worse in particularly dusty cities or in regions with a lot of construction work.

ALSO READ: How to clean an air conditioner filter

Additionally, a clogged filter impedes airflow and thus the volume of air flowing through your house. Many ACs will detect the drop in intake pressure and attempt to suck in more air by speeding up the compressor and fans (thus consuming more power), increasing the stress and wear and tear on the AC components.

If you’re in an environment with a ducted AC or roof AC, things can get even worse as the dust build up can affect the ducts and vents as well.

2. Air quality

The second most important factor is air quality. A clogged air filter stops filtering out dust, pollen and other allergens, not to mention other types of harmful particles in the air. On top of that, if a filter is blocked for a long time, the dust on the surface can absorb moisture and other elements from the air and create the perfect breeding ground for mould and other spores, furthering the deterioration of air quality in your home or office.

3. Regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is key. Follow your manufacturer’s specified schedule for maintenance, and ensure that the service technician inspects and properly cleans your filters as required.

In addition, you should also familiarise yourself with the indicators of a clogged filter. Signs could include increased noise from your AC fan and compressor, limited or lack of airflow, inadequate cooling. Other subtler signs could include a gradual increase in your energy bills, dust and debris build up around your vents, and even unusual odours. Even mild allergic reactions in a room with an AC could indicate a clogged filter.

ALSO READ: All you need to know about ACs and their role in maintaining indoor air quality

Clean and maintain your AC filters regularly to ensure that your AC is performing at its best, and more importantly, to ensure that your health is unaffected. Some diligence and care will help boost your ACs performance, reduce wear and tear, and greatly improve its longevity.