How to Clean & Change Your Air Conditioner Filter

Image of dirty AC filter. Cleaning and replacing your AC filter will help prolong your AC's life and help keep your home's air clean.

How to Clean or Change Your Air Conditioner Filter

Ready for summer? We certainly are. Your AC unit is essential for keeping your home comfortable in the hot summer months, but in order for that to happen, you need a clean air conditioner filter.

AC filters work by trapping dirt, pollen, pet dander, and dust so that the air in your room remains clean and safe to breathe. Over time, these particles start to build up in the filter, causing it not to work as well and potentially allow harmful particulates and allergens into your air.

Particle buildup can also greatly affect the performance of your AC unit; a particularly dirty AC filter will fail to filter out contaminants and cause damage to your AC. Routine cleaning is therefore extremely important to ensure the efficiency and long life of your AC unit. We’ll talk about how often you need to clean your air conditioner filter and how to clean it, as well as how to tell if your AC filter needs to be replaced and how to replace your air conditioner filter.

9 Common Air Conditioner Problems & How to Fix Them

air conditioner fan

It’s about that time of year where we start to rely on our air conditioners to combat the sweltering heat. A properly working AC unit will keep your home at a temperature that’s comfortable for you to enjoy even on those 90-degree days. That being said, there’s nothing worse than discovering your air conditioner is broken on a scorching summer day.

The best way to avoid this problem is to confront it well before it even happens — and there’s no better time than now. We’ll highlight some common air conditioner problems, how to identify them and what to do should they arise.

Air Conditioner Disposal Tips: How to Recycle or Sell Your AC Unit

Girl examining broken AC unit

Air conditioners are some of the most common household appliances in the country, and certainly among the most frequently purchased products on our website. Depending on the type, a good AC unit can last you up to 15 years. However, even the best ACs need to be replaced at some point.

When it comes to air conditioner disposal, many homeowners make the mistake of throwing away their old air conditioners, but take note – you should never throw your air conditioner in the trash. It is actually illegal to just discard your air conditioner with your regular garbage, and if you are caught doing so you will be fined.

If you have an old AC unit that you’re looking to get rid of, keep reading. We’ll talk about proper air conditioner disposal methods, including how to correctly recycle, sell or donate your AC unit. Following these steps will help protect yourself against a hefty fine — and protect the environment, too.

Cleaning & Maintaining a Vented Gas Heater

 

vented gas heater
Williams Furnace Company 3003 30,000 BTU Direct Vent Wall Furnace

For their ease of installation and promise of even, consistent heat, vented gas furnaces are popular heating options for both residential and commercial spaces. As with any major appliance, your vented gas heater requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure better safety and function throughout high Autumn and winter. Such a routine involves a thorough inspection and cleaning of the inside of the furnace, as well as testing and, if necessary, readjusting the burner flame.

General maintenance and upkeep should be conducted annually, at the start of each heating season. We recommend a professional be hired to perform these checks unless the homeowner is a highly skilled professional him/herself with experience in electrical, gas, or maintenance work.

Since the process is fairly involved and requires detailed knowledge of what to look for and consider, we at Total Home Supply have assembled a guide to the cleaning and maintenance of both direct-vent and b-vent gas heaters. The unit’s manual should still be considered before undertaking any maintenance routine, however, as guidelines and instructions of use may vary from unit to unit.