In the height of summer, there’s nothing more refreshing than a cool breeze blowing through your RV. Unfortunately, if your air conditioner isn’t clean and working correctly, that breeze can quickly turn into a hot and stuffy blast.
In this post, we’re going to show you how to clean your RV air conditioner filter so you can keep the air flowing freely all season long.
Importance of Cleaning Your RV AC Filter
Keeping the air conditioner clean is a basic but effective way to ensure that your RV stays cool and comfortable all season long. This includes keeping the area around the filter clean so there’s nothing blocking it from doing its job.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of keeping your AC filter clean:
Enhance the Life of Your System:
Clogged filters also cause strain on your AC components and can actually lead to breakage. When you let dirt and debris accumulate in the filter, it creates an increased risk for corrosion and rusting, which can cause a complete system failure.
Your RV Stays More Comfortable:
Mental Floss offers some insight as to how dirty filters can affect your comfort. “A dirty filter makes the evaporator work harder and less efficiently, which results in a dramatic rise in head pressure—the difference between indoor and outdoor air temperatures.”
Extend the Life of Your Equipment:
When you don’t keep an eye on your AC system and you let it fall into disrepair, your unit can incur significant damage very quickly.
This leads to replacement parts and extensive labor on your end, which makes for an expensive repair job. Keeping the system clean on the other hand, will help keep costs down over time.
How To Clean RV Air Conditioner Filter? Step By Step
These steps will help you to clean your RV air conditioner filter easily without time waste.
Step 1: Identify Your Filter
Your RV’s air conditioner has one or two filters located on the back of the system. The filters are rectangular and measure roughly 16 inches by 18 inches.
The airflow intake for your air conditioner is beneath the filter, so you’ll need to remove it in order to clean it.
Step 2: Vacuum the Grates
Using a vacuum cleaner or shop vacuum, gently suck up dust and other debris from the grates on the back of your air conditioner. Be sure to dig deep into all grooves in order to get even the tiniest bits of dirt.
Step 3: Wipe Your Filter With a Damp Cloth
Now that you’ve vacuumed away from the majority of the dirt and dust, use a damp cloth to wipe down the filter. Rinse and repeat as necessary in order to get your filter clean and completely free of grime.
Step 4: Let Dry Overnight
Air conditioner filters don’t usually take longer to dry, but leave it out overnight.
Step 5: Reinstall the Air Conditioner Filter
Once your filter is completely dry, take it outside and gently shake to remove any remaining dust. Then, place the filter back in its place on your air conditioner and you’re done.
Step 6: Activate Your RV’s Air Conditioner
Activate your RV’s air conditioner and enjoy a nice clean breeze all summer long.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to clean RV air conditioner filter, it’s time to get to work! Follow these steps in order to get the job done efficiently and with minimal fuss. However, if you are still confused about how you can clean your filter, there are many companies who offer services to clean your RV AC unit for a reasonable fee. Just make sure they use environmentally friendly products that won’t damage your AC system.
FAQs
How often should I clean my air conditioner filter?
In general, you want to clean your air conditioner filter every time it’s dirty. In order to identify when this is, wait until the airflow turns from a strong breeze into a weak one. Then, or once that happens, time to give it a nice cleaning.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do when cleaning my RV air conditioner filter?
Yes! When you clean your filter, avoid home remedies like vinegar or bleach. These may cause damage to your system and could void the warranty of your RV’s air conditioner.
Is there anywhere I can find an air conditioner filter for my RV?
Absolutely! You can buy a new filter online or visit your nearest parts store to get the exact replacement you need. Then, it’s just a matter of finding the right size and installing the new filter yourself.
Is there anything I should do after replacing my air conditioner filter?
If you’ve changed out your old filter for a new one, make sure to clean the surrounding grilles with water. The dirtiest places are often right next to the filter where it’s easy to get dust stuck in between all of the grills.